Law 12 - Criminal Courts & Investigation

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from chapters 7 and 8 concerning criminal courts and the criminal investigation process.

provincial court

A lower-level court that deals primarily with minor criminal offenses and provincial matters.

superior court of prov.

Higher court that generally hears serious criminal offenses and appeals from lower courts.

supreme court of Canada

The highest court in Canada, which has ultimate appellate jurisdiction.

arrest

The act of apprehending someone for a crime.

voir dire

A legal proceeding to determine the admissibility of evidence.

charge to jury

Instructions given by a judge to a jury regarding the law applicable to their case.

perjury

The act of lying under oath.

subpoena

A legal document ordering someone to appear in court or produce evidence.

physical evidence

Any tangible object that is presented in court.

direct evidence

Testimony that directly proves a fact.

hearsay evidence

Testimony that is not based on a witness's direct knowledge.

circumstantial evidence

Evidence that suggests a fact by implying its existence.

class characteristics

Traits or characteristics that can be shared by a group.

individual characteristics

Distinct traits that can be traced to a single source.

crime scene

The location where a crime has occurred.

appearance notice

A legal document ordering a person to appear in court.

burden of proof

The obligation to prove one’s assertion in court.

chain of custody

The process of maintaining and documenting evidence.

arraignment

The court proceeding in which the accused is formally charged.

perimeter

An established boundary surrounding a crime scene.

appeal

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

bench warrant

A court order to arrest a person who has not appeared in court.

summons

A legal request to appear in court.

citizen's arrest

An arrest made by a private citizen under certain conditions.

detention

The act of holding someone in custody.

bail

Temporary release from custody, usually granted in exchange for money or collateral.

impressions

Marks or imprints left by objects that can provide evidence.

rebuttal

Evidence or argument that contradicts previous evidence or argument.

reasonable grounds

A standard of proof required for police action, indicating there is a good reason for a belief.