| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Appeal | Request to a higher court, (usually called an Appellate court) to review a decision made by a lower (trial) court |
| Adversary System | The U.S. System of trial practice in which each of the opposing sides have an opportunity to present opposing contentions to the court. |
| Acquittal | A decision made by a judge or a jury finding that the defendant has not been found guilty of the crime he or she was charged with. |
| Affidavit | A written statement of facts signed under oath before a notary public. |
| Alibi | A provable account of one's whereabouts at the time of the crime which prove it impossible to place them at the scene of the crime. |
| Arraignment | The first time a person appears before a judge. Defendants are informed of their rights, the charges against them, and Bail is set. |
| Arrest | Taking a person in custody. 2 kinds: 1. Warrant arrest 2. Probable cause arrest |
| Arson | The malicious burning of property. |
| Assault | Any attempt or threat to do physical harm to another. |
| Bail | The financial security (cash) paid by defendants to guarantee that they will appear in court when they are scheduled. |
| Bond | A guarantee of payment to the court should the defendant fail to appear. *Judge will decide the Bail or Bond and Amount. |
| Bailiff | A court employee who is responsible for keeping order. |
| Bill of Attainder | A law sentencing a person to jail without a trail. *This type of law is forbidden in the U.S. Constitution |
| To book | To enter charges against a person in a police register |
| Breach | The failure of any party in a contract to meet all it's conditions. |
| Brief | A written argument on a point of law which is filled with the court |
| Beyond a Reasonable Doubt | The level of proof required to convict in a criminal case |
| Burden of Proof | The necessity of proving the facts in a dispute. In a criminal case, the prosecution has the responsibility to produce evidence to prove the charges against the defendant. |
| Burglary | Breaking into a structure with intent to steal. |
| Cease and Desist Order | A court order to stop a harmful or illegal practice. |
| Civil case | A case involving a dispute between private individuals. Commonly called a lawsuit |
| Civil law | A body of laws dealing with private rights of individuals and relationships between individuals. |
| Class action | A lawsuit brought by a group of people. |
| Collateral | Something of value used as a security for carrying out a contract. |
| Common law | "Laws" made by judges. These are based on legal customs and the decrees of courts (Precedents) |
| Contempt of Court | Any act involving a disrespect to the court or failure to obey its orders. |
| Conviction | To be found guilty of the charges against you by a judge or a jury. |
| Crime | An act or failure to act which is forbidden by law. |
| Criminal law | Laws which describe crimes and penalties for committing crimes. |
| Criminal trial | A trial to decide charges brought by the state against a person accused of violating a criminal law. |
| Cross Examination | Questioning of a witness by other side |
Combine with other sets
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