Week 7 Terms

Arrest and Booking

The two initial steps that bring a suspect into official police custody and document them in the legal system.

Initial Appearance

Usually is held within 24 to 72 hours of arrest - and advises rights, appoints a lawyer, and sets bail.

Arraignment and Plea

Occurs days or weeks later, after formal charges are filed - Reads formal charges and takes a plea - The defendant must enter a formal plea (Guilty, Innocent)

Criminal Trial

A formal court proceeds with a judge or a jury, and they evaluates evidence to decide whether the prosecution has been proven the defendant’s guilty.

Sentencing and Appeals

This is the final stage where the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty at trial.

Delinquent Behavior

Any illegal act committed by a minor - someone under the age of seventeen - that would be classified as a crime if committed by an adult.

Unruly Behavior

Non-criminal conduct by a minor that violates rules or laws specific to their age,

Rights of Juvenile Offenders

• Parental Notification - Parents are immediately notified as soon as the juvenile is arrested

• Confidentiality of Proceedings and Records - Unlike adult criminal trials, juvenile court hearings are usually closed to the general public

• Separation from Adult Offenders - Detained Juveniles must be kept completely separated from Adult Offenders

• Two Phone Calls - Juveniles have the right to have two phone calls when Detained

• Parents Present - Parents must be present while questioning

Juvenile Intake Process

A Juvenile Intake process is less complicated than the adult intake process - and a jury does not get involved.

Adjudication and Disposition

The two main court proceedings used to resolve a cases - they mirror the trial and sentencing phases of the juvenile criminal system.

County Government

Acts as an administrative arm of the state and provides essential local services to residents with its geographic boundaries.

Municipal Government

They focus on emergency services - Utilities and Sanitation - Local Infrastructure - Zoning and Building Codes - Parks and Recreation - Municipal Courts

Special-Purpose Government

School Districts - Water, Utility, and Environmental Districts - Public Safety and Health Districts - Transportation and Infrastructure Districts - Community, Recreation, and Economic Districts

Ad Valorem Tax

A tax based on the value of property .

Local Government Funding and Spending

The fund their budgets through a mix of local taxes, state and federal transfers, and user fees, and spend most of the money on K-12 education, public safety, utilities, and infrastructure.