John Marshall Harlan: Dissent in Hurtado v. California

Glossary

• common and statute law reference to two types of legal systems, one in which law evolves from court cases (common law) and one in which it is expressed in statutes passed by a legislature
• grand jury a body of people who determine whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a person with a crime
• indictment a charge by a prosecuting attorney
• Magna Charta literally “Great Paper” or “Great Charter,” the document the English barons presented to King John in 1215 that would secure to them certain rights
• presentment a written notice by a grand jury of an offense that the jury is aware of from its own knowledge or observation; in contrast to indictment