law

adjournment

a postponement of court business

appearance notice

a legal document stating the criminal charge and the court date

arrest

to detain a person legally and to charge them with a criminal offense

biometrics

automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioral characteristics

charge

formal accusation that someone has committed a crime

citizen’s arrest

detainment by a civilian of a person believed to have committed a crime

custody

actual imprisonment or physical detention

disclosure

all evidence against the accused that the crown must reveal to the defence early in the proceedings

evidence

anything that is used to determine the truth in a court of law

forensic

the application of scientific techniques to criminal investigations

resolution discussion

a pre trial meeting between the defence and crown to try to resolve the case without a trial

plea negotiation

a deal between the crown and the defence for a guilty plea to a lesse charge or penalty

preliminary hearing

a court hearing to determine if there is evidence to proceed to trial

reverse onus

when the burden of proof is placed on the defence rather than the crown

undertaking

a document in which the accused agrees to appear in court as required

recognizance

A signed guarantee by the accused to appear in court as required and to abide by the terms

bail hearing

a hearing to decide whether an accused can be released from jail before trial and with what conditions

legal aid

legal services paid for by taxpayers available to persons unable to afford a lawyer

duty counsel

a government lawyer who provides legal advice to those just arrested or brought before the court

telewarrant

a court order issued by phone fax or email to search a place or arrest a person

search

the police procedure in which officers look for evidence that may be used in court

search warrant

a court order authorizing police to search a specific place at a specified time

summons

An order to appear in criminal court

Information

The starting document for a less serious offence

Appearance notice

A legal document stating the criminal charge and the court date

Accused

The person charged with an offence