Gov. Law Terms

Proceeding where a defendant is charged and submits his/her plea

to charge someone with a crime

formal charge issued by a grand jury stating there is enough evidence to go to trial

this is issued by the court to force a witness to come forward and testify

judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court; determined by seniority

a federal misdemeanor punishable by 6 months or less in prison

the law as established in previous court decisions. AKA precedent

a court decision from an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to the present case

a set of rules set up by a commission that dictates what punishments fit the crimes

there are 93 of these in the USA, and they are all appointed by the president

sentencing option where a person is released to be monitored by an officer of the law

this is a civil law, not including a breach of contract

this person hears mostly civil, family, and misdemeanor trials

legal advisor, usually an attorney, or a legal team

release of a defendant who pays a fee. Designed to assure that person's appearance in court.

Jury selection process where lawyers ask potential jurors questions to keep or eliminate them

an order forcing law enforcement to produce a prisoner being held for a reading of the charges

a post trial request from the losing party to have a higher court review the trial

this term is literally means "friend of the court" written to educate justices on the issue

This is a crime punishable by death

an order issued to a lower court by the Supreme Court to have trial moved up

An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths

an opportunity for lawyers to summarize their arguments and answer judge's questions

a group of people who look at the evidence and determine whether the trial should take place

before the trial begins, this is the time when both sides gather evidence

when an attorney takes a case for free.

the claim in the arraignment hearing of "guilty" or "Not Guilty"

this is when you represent yourself in a court of law

lawsuit in which a few individuals or other entities sue on behalf of the entire class/group

doctrine that states evidence obtained against constitutional rights can not be used in court

this type of crime usually results in a sentence of at least one year in prison

a jury verdict that the defendant is NOT guilty

This is a written statement made under oath

person/ business that has a complaint brought against them in court

Prison terms for two or more offenses to be served one after the other.

when a jury is separated from the general public to keep them from discussing the case

This is a complete collection of every document filed in court in a case

A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court

duty to prove facts. In civil cases, the plaintiff. In criminal cases, usually the government

a judges written explanation of the decision of the court

the punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime

a judgement of guilt against the defendant

This is when there is no jury, only a judge who decides the defendant's fate

This is a law passed by legislation. They cannot conflict with constitutional laws

this is court issued and allows law enforcement to search and seize possible evidence

invalid trial caused by a fundamental error. A new trial with a new jury will result

when parties to a lawsuit resolve their dispute without having a trial

A written statement submitted that explains one side's legal and factual arguments.

this term is used to describe testimony or evidence that is ok to be submitted in court

property or money that defines one's actual wealth, can be used as collateral

Money that a defendant pays a plaintiff in a civil case if the plaintiff has won.

The person who requests an appeal

Prison terms for two or more offenses served at the same time, rather than one after the other

this is most often referred to as house arrest

the time within which a lawsuit must be filed or criminal prosecution must begin

This evidence is brought forth to prove the defendant is not guilty.

this is the location of a trial. sometimes, to ensure a fair trial the location has to change

The appeals court can choose one of two options when reviewing a lower court's decision

The winner of the lower court decision who is forced into a higher court of appeals by loser