Ch8 criminal justice

Bail agent

an employee of a private, for nonprofit company that provides money for suspects to be released from jail. also called a bondsman

Bailiff

court officer responsible for executing writs and processes, making arrests, and keeping order in the court

Child advocate

an officer appointed by the court to protect the interests of the child and to act as a liaison among the child, the child’s family, the court, and any other agency involved with the child

Clerk of the court

the primary administrative officer of each court who manages non judicial functions

Court administrator

an officer responsible for the mechanical necessities of the court, such as scheduling courtrooms, managing case flow, administering personnel, procuring furniture, and preparing budgets

Court reporter

a court officer who records and transcribes an official verbatim record of the legal proceedings of the court

Courtroom work group

the judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, clerks, bailiffs who work together to move cases thorough the court system and whose interaction determines the outcome of criminal cases

Criminal division

part of the U.S. department of justice, the criminal division develops, enforces, and supervises the application of all federal criminal laws except those assigned to other divisions

Discretion 

the power of a criminal justice official to make decisions on issues within legal guidelines

Disposition

the final determination of a case or other matter by a court or other judicial entity

Going rate

a term describing how similar cases have been settled by a given set of judges, prosecutors, and attorneys

Missouri bar plan

A form of judicial selection in which a nominating commission presents a list of candidates to the governor, who decides on a candidate. After a year in office, voters decide on whether to retain the judge. Judges must run for such re-election each term. Also called merit selection

Normal crimes

routine cases that are considered in the context of how the court handled similar offenses

Plea bargain

A compromise reached by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, and the prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest in return for a reduction of the charges’ severity, dismissal of some charges, further information about the offense or about others involved in it, or the prosecutor’s agreement to recommend a desired sentence.

U.S. attorneys

The principal litigators of the United States who conduct most of the trial work in which the United States is a party. They prosecute criminal cases brought by the federal government; prosecute and defend civil cases in which the United States is a party; and collect certain types of debts owed to the federal government.

U.S. solicitor general

the person who determines which cases the federal government will send to the U.S. supreme court for review and the positions the government will take before the court

Victim impact statement

an account given by the victim, the victim’s family, or others affected by the offense that expresses the effects of the offense, including economic losses, the extent of physical or psychological injuries, and major life changes