Law and Justice Unit 3 part 2

Pretrial release

The release of a defendant from custody prior to their trial.

Bail bond

A monetary amount set by the court to secure a defendant's release from jail.

Release on recognizance

A form of pretrial release where the defendant promises to appear in court without needing to post bail.

Conditional release

A release from custody with specific conditions that must be followed.

Plea

A defendant's formal response to a charge, such as guilty or not guilty.

No contest (nolo contendere)

A plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge but accepts conviction.

Plea bargaining

Negotiation between the defendant and the prosecutor for a lesser charge or sentence.

Adversarial system

A legal system where two advocates represent their parties' positions before an impartial person.

Peremptory challenge

The right of a lawyer to reject a certain number of potential jurors without stating a reason.

Voir dire

The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their qualifications.

Sequestered jury

A jury that is kept isolated from the public during a trial.

Evidence

Information presented in court to support or refute a claim.

Direct evidence

Evidence that directly links a defendant to the crime, such as eyewitness testimony.

Circumstantial evidence

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

Testimony

A formal statement given by a witness under oath.

Perjury

The act of lying under oath.

Hearsay

A statement made outside of court presented as evidence.

Reasonable doubt

The standard of proof required in a criminal trial to secure a conviction.

Reasonable doubt standard

The principle that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Verdict

The jury's decision on a case.