Glossary:

Accessory...a person who knowingly and intentionally contributes to or aids in the commission of a crime.

 

Acquittal...criminal defendant being found "not guilty" of the crime.

 

Adjournment...postponing or rescheduling a case or court session until another date or time.

 

Affidavit...written statement of fact that is verified by oath or affirmation before a notary officer having authority to adminster oaths.

 

Answer...a party's written resposne to a legal pleading, such as a motion or brief.

 

Bench Warrant...a Court order commanding the defendant's arrest and appearance in Court after previously failing to appear for a hearing.

 

Brief...written arguments submitted by the lawyers for each side in a case explaining and/or supporting their respective positions.

 

Capital offense...crime punishable by death.

 

Controlled Dangerous Substance...any substance whose possession and use have been regulated by the legislature.

 

Chambers...judge's office.

 

Conviction...judge or jury's decision that the accused person is guilty of the crime.

 

Defendant...a person who has been formally charged with committing a crime.

 

Defense Attorney...an attorney who represents the defendant in a lawsuit.

 

Deliberations...discussions held by the jury, after all evidence has been presented, to decide outsome of a case.

 

Direct Examination...questioning of a witness by the party who first called the witness to the stand.

 

Docket Number...number assigned by the court's clerk to identify each case.

 

Evidence...information prsented in testimony, documents, physical objects used to prove or disprove facts relevant to a case.

 

Expungement...process where a conviction may be set aside.

 

Felony...crime carrying more that one year possible incarceration.

 

Grand Jury...group of citizens convened in a criminal case to consider the prosecutor's evidence and determine whether probable cause exists to prosecute a suspect.

 

Hung Jury...a criminal jury that cannot reach a unanimous verdict.

 

Incriminate...to charge with or show evidence or proof of involvement in a crime.

 

Indictment...a formal written statement from a grand jury charging a person with a crime.

 

Juror...a member of a jury.

 

Leading Question...a question that instructs a witness hwo to answer, or suggests which answer is desired.

 

Misdemeanor...crime carrying maximum jail time of one year or less.

 

Mistrial...an erroneous or invalid trial; a trial declared by a judge to be defective.

Plaintiff...a person who files a lawsuit;opposite of defendant.

 

Prosecute...to bring legal action against someone for punishment of a crime or violation of the law, by the District Attorney's Office.

 

Prosecuting Attorney...an attorney from the District Attorney's Office who conducts proceedings on behalf of the state.

 

Testimony...evidence presented orally and under oath by witnesses during trial or other proceedings.

 

Transcript...official record of the testimony taken in a trial or hearing.

 

Vacate...to set aside.

 

Verdict...decision of a jury or a judge on the issues submitted to the Court for determination.

 

Victim...person or entity who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial. or emtional harm as a result of the commission of a crime.

 

Voir Dire...process of jury selection, generally involving the judge and attorneys asking potentional jurors about their experiences and beliefs.  The purpose is to determine if the juror is appropriate for sitting on the case at hand, particularly their willingess to decide case only on the evidence presented in Court.  This French term means "to speak the truth".

 

Waiver...intentionally giving up a right.

 

Warrant...Court order authorizing an arrest or search.