chapter 2 criminal Law Vocabcab

Acquit:

found not guilty

Bail:

money paid to the court (temporarily) to ensure that an arrested person who is released will show up at all required court appearances

Booking:

recording of an arrest, photographing and fingerprinting

Knowingly:

conscious of the act done (does not require intent to break the law)

Malice:

a wish to injure, vex, or annoy; an intent to do a wrongful act

Concurrent:

(sentence) served as the same time

Consecutive:

(sentences) one following after the other

Due process:

a principle of fairness in all legal matters, to safeguard against unfairness.

Procedural due process: proceedings carried out regularly, fairly, and in accordance with established rules and principles

Substantive due process: laws and regulations must be related to a legitimate government interest (as crime prevention) and may not result in unfair or arbitrary treatment

Felony:

a crime punishable by death or prison

Infraction:

a crime not punishable by imprisonment

Lesser included offense:

a crime that is necessarily part of a more complex crime; all of the legal elements of the lesser offense must be included in the elements of the greater offense.

Preponderance:

majority of the evidence, the "more likely than not" standard that is the legal burden of proof required in most civil (non-criminal) trials.

Misdemeanor:

all crimes other than infractions and felonies

Negligence:

failing to use due care as would a reasonable person

Wobbler:

a crime that can be filed or sentenced as a misdemeanor or a felony

Procedural due process

proceedings carried out regularly, fairly, and in accordance with established rules and principles

Substantive due process

laws and regulations must be related to a legitimate government interest (as crime prevention) and may not result in unfair or arbitrary treatment