Criminal Justice Legal Terms and Phrases w/ Bonus terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, legal standards, processes, and constitutional protections in the criminal justice system.

Burden of proof

The obligation of the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt, which in criminal cases must meet the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.

Presumption of innocence

The foundational principle that every defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Felony

A serious crime (such as murder, robbery, or grand theft) usually punishable by more than one year in state or federal prison.

Misdemeanor

A less severe crime (such as petty theft or disorderly conduct) usually punishable by a fine or a jail sentence of one year or less.

Bench trial

A legal proceeding where a single judge acts as both the finder of fact and the interpreter of law, rendering a final verdict without a jury.

Jurisdiction

The official legal power or authority of a court, government agency, or official body to make legal decisions, hear cases, and enforce laws.

Venue

The proper geographic location, county, district, or court division where a legal case is tried.

Probable cause

The legal standard under the Fourth Amendment that police must satisfy to make an arrest, conduct a search, or obtain a warrant; implies knowledge leading a reasonable person to believe a crime was committed or evidence exists in a specific location.

Subpoena

A formal, written legal order commanding a person to appear in court to testify at a specific time and place, or to produce documents, records, or other physical evidence.

Miranda rights / Miranda warning

Constitutional protections established in Miranda vs. Arizona (1966) safeguarding Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and Sixth Amendment rights to counsel during police questioning.

Indictment

A formal, written accusation issued by a grand jury charging a person with a major crime.

Arraignment

The initial court appearance where the defendant is formally charged, informed of their rights, and enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

Discovery (process)

The pre-trial exchange of evidence, witness lists, and information between the prosecution and the defense.

Deposition

A formal, out-of-court interview where a witness or party answers questions under oath, usually conducted as part of the discovery process.

Voir dire

The legal process where a judge and attorneys question prospective jurors or witnesses to evaluate their suitability and bias.

Acquittal

A formal judgment or jury verdict by a court stating that the criminal defendant is not guilty of the charges (not identical to being declared innocent or exonerated).

Conviction

A formal judgment or jury verdict by a court declaring that the defendant is guilty of the crime.

Prosecutor / District attorney (D.A.)

The government attorney who charges and tries the case against the accused.

Public defender

A licensed attorney employed or funded by the government to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer.

Extradition

The formal legal process by which one jurisdiction surrenders an accused or convicted person to another jurisdiction with legal authority to try or punish them.

Appeal

A legal process in which a party requests a higher court to review and alter the final decision rendered by a lower court.

Appellate court

A higher judicial body that reviews the decisions made by lower trial courts or tribunals.

Parole

The conditional release of a prisoner before completing their full sentence, subject to supervision by a parole officer in the community.

Probation

A court-ordered sentence permitting a convicted offender to remain in the community under supervision rather than serving prison time.

Bail

The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes secured by a financial deposit to guarantee their appearance in court.

Plea bargain

A legal agreement where a defendant pleads guilty or no contest to a criminal charge in exchange for a typically reduced sentence or lesser punishment.

Alford plea

A special type of guilty plea where a defendant formally accepts a conviction and sentence without admitting factual guilt.

Hearsay

An oral, written, or non-verbal assertion made outside of court that is inadmissible because the declarant is not under oath and cannot be cross-examined.

Restitution

A court-ordered financial payment or compensation paid by a convicted defendant to a victim for direct economic losses caused by the crime.

Recidivism

The tendency or rate at which a convicted criminal reoffends or returns to criminal behavior following release.

Double jeopardy

The Fifth Amendment constitutional protection preventing an individual from being tried twice for the exact same offense following an acquittal or conviction.

Adjudicate

To make a formal judgment or decision on a legal matter or disputed issue, allowing a process to resolve with an official verdict or decree.

Affidavit

A written statement issued under oath or by affirmation intended for use as evidence in court.

Circumstantial evidence

Evidence not drawn from direct observation of a fact at issue that relies instead on secondary assumptions and logical inference.

Coercion

The use of express or implied threats, intimidation, physical force, or psychological pressure to subvert an individual's free will and compel them to act.

Exculpatory evidence

Information or evidence that clears a defendant of guilt or blame.

Exoneration

The official act of clearing someone of a criminal conviction.

Peremptory strike

The dismissal or rejection of a potential juror without providing or stating a reason.

Rule 32 petition

An Alabama post-conviction relief process used to challenge the mishandling of a past criminal conviction.

Sequestration

The act of isolating a jury during trial proceedings to prevent exposure to outside influence.

Warrant

A legal document issued by an official authorizing police to make an arrest, search premises, or execute other actions related to administering justice.

(Writ of) certiorari

A request for a higher court, typically the Supreme Court, to review a ruling or decision delivered by a lower court.

(Writ of) habeas corpus

A writ directing that a detained individual be brought before a court to secure release unless lawful grounds for detention are demonstrated.