Accessory: a person who knowingly and intentionally contributes to or aids in the commission of a crime
Accessory After the Fact: An accessory who was not at the scene of the crime but knows that a crime has been committed and who helps the offender try to escape arrest or punshiment
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
Bail: Bond money paid to a court by or on behalf of a criminal defendant as security that, when released from jail, the defendant will appear at future hearings. If another person posts the bail money, then that third party vouches that the defendant will appear at future court dates. Bail can be forfeited if the defendant fails to appear or violates release conditions.
Bench Trial: A trial held before a judge and without a jury.
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
Charge to the Jury: A judge’s instructions to a jury. The instructions contain information on the laws relating to the case, definitions of legal terms and explanations of procedures relevant to the jury’s duties.
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 or criminal case
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