Back
Flashcards: Courts & Criminal Process Part 2.
Good time
reduction in sentence earned by good behavior in prison.
Felony
serious crime, generally resulting with a penalty of one year or more in prison.
Bail enforcement agent
bounty hunters who apprehend bail jumpers.
Decentralization
criminal justice system has no central control point.
Capital offense
offense for which the death penalty is authorized.
Beyond reasonable doubt
burden of proof on prosecution in criminal case.
Judicial independence
judicial independence from scrutiny and sanctions by other branches.
Best-evidence rule
only original of document is admissible in evidence.
Indictment
grand jury finding of evidence of wrongdoing necessitating a trial.
Mistrial
trial is aborted because of some event.
Trial courts of general jurisdiction
courts responsible for major criminal and civil cases.
Irrelevant
inadmissible evidence because it is not related to fact in issue at trial.
Defendant
an individual accused of a crime.
Geographical jurisdiction
area of a court's jurisdiction.
Release on recognizance
defendants with strong community ties and low flight risk are released in lieu of bail.
Restitution
requirement that offender provide reparation to the victim.
Determinate sentence
sentence for a definite number of year imprisonment (fixed sentence).
Due process model
model of system that stresses rights of defendants.
Arraignment
formal court proceeding where defendant enters plea.
Cash bond
defendant pays the full bail amount out of pocket.
Status offense
offense that can be committed only by juveniles.
Tort
a private or civil wrong, often resulting in a civil trial.
Bail
in return for pretrial release, the defendant promises to appear in court as needed.
Intermediate courts of appeals
judicial bodies falling between the highest, or Supreme Court, and the trial court, created with the intent of relieving the higher court's caseloads.
Beyond a reasonable doubt
standard of proof for conviction in criminal law.
Alternate jurors
jurors who will serve if one of regular jurors must withdraw.
Ordinance
city or county regulation.
Statutory exemptions
persons exempted from jury service by statute.
Civil protection order
a civil restraining order to protect victims or potential victims from domestic violence.
Presumption of innocence
prosecution must prove guilt, no burden on defendant.