CJ Today CH8 Key Terms

acquittal

A legal judgment that officially and formally clears a defendant of criminal charges.

Allen charge

A judge's instruction to a deadlocked jury to encourage them to continue deliberating.

appeal

A request made to a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.

arraignment

A court proceeding in which a defendant is formally charged and asked to respond.

bail

Money or property given to the court to temporarily release a defendant and ensure their return.

bail bond agent

A person who provides bail money for defendants in exchange for a fee.

bench trial

A trial in which a judge, not a jury, decides the outcome.

Boykin form

A form confirming a defendant's waiver of trial rights when pleading guilty.

case attrition

The process by which criminal cases are dropped or dismissed before trial.

challenge for cause

Request to dismiss a potential juror due to potential bias.

charge

A formal accusation of a crime.

circumstantial evidence

Evidence that implies a fact but does not prove it directly.

closing arguments

Final statements by attorneys summarizing the case for the jury.

confrontation clause

A defendant’s right to confront their accusers in court.

cross-examination

Questioning of a witness by the opposing party.

direct evidence

Evidence that directly proves a fact, such as eyewitness testimony.

direct examination

Initial questioning of a witness by the party who called them.

discovery

The pre-trial process of exchanging evidence between parties.

double jeopardy

Prohibits a person from being tried twice for the same offense.

evidence

Any material presented to prove or disprove alleged facts.

expert witness

A person with specialized knowledge who gives testimony in a case.

grand jury

A group of citizens who decide if there is enough evidence to indict.

habeas corpus

A legal action to seek relief from unlawful detention.

hearsay

An out-of-court statement introduced to prove the truth of the matter asserted.

hung jury

A jury that cannot agree on a verdict.

indictment

A formal charge issued by a grand jury.

information

A formal criminal charge made by a prosecutor without a grand jury.

initial appearance

The first court appearance of a defendant after arrest.

jury trial

A trial judged by a jury of peers.

lay witness

A non-expert who testifies based on personal knowledge.

master jury list

A list of potential jurors compiled from various sources.

nolo contendere

A plea of no contest; not admitting guilt but accepting punishment.

opening statements

Initial remarks by attorneys outlining their case.

peremptory challenges

The right to dismiss a juror without giving a reason.

plea bargaining

Negotiation where the defendant agrees to plead guilty for a lesser charge.

preliminary hearing

A hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for trial.

preventive detention

Holding a defendant in custody to prevent further crimes.

property bond

Bail using property as collateral.

real evidence

Physical objects presented as evidence in a case.

rebuttal

Evidence or argument that counters an opponent’s case.

release on recognizance (ROR)

Pre-trial release without bail based on a promise to appear.

relevant evidence

Evidence related to proving or disproving a point in question.

sequestration

Isolating the jury to prevent outside influence.

statute of limitations

The time limit within which legal action can be taken.

testimony

A statement made under oath in court.

venire

A group from which jurors are selected.

verdict

The decision of a jury or judge in a trial.

voir dire

The process of questioning potential jurors.

wrongful conviction

When an innocent person is found guilty of a crime.