Glossary ~ Page 1
The language of the criminal justice system is most likely very unfamiliar to you. Below is a list of commonly used terms and their definitions to help you understand what is happening throughout all legal proceedings. If at any time during the proceedings you hear something you do not understand, be sure to ask your advocate or any other official within the District Attorney's office for clarification.
Accusatory Process - The series of events that take place from the arrest of a suspect to the filing of a formal charging instrument (indictment).
Appeal - A request to a higher court that it review only matters of law, not fact, raised in a lower court. An appeal for review of the case is automatically filed by defense attorneys on behalf of all those convicted of first-degree murder.
Appellate Court - A court that does not try criminal cases but hears appeals of decisions of lower courts.
Arraignment - The act of calling an accused person before the court to hear the charges lodged against him and to enter a plea in response to those charges.
Arrest - The physical taking of a person into custody on the grounds that there is probable cause to believe that he or she has committed a criminal offense. Police may use only reasonable physical force in making an arrest. The purpose of arrest is to notify the person of the accusation.
Bail - Monetary amount for, or condition of, pre-trial release from custody, normally set by a judge at the initial appearance. The purpose of bail is to ensure the return of the accused to subsequent proceedings. If the accused is unable to make bail, or otherwise unable to be released on his own recognizance, he is detained in custody.
Credit: Thank You
Challenge for cause - To question formally a prospective juror's competency to render a fair verdict by showing bias or some other legal disability. Prospective jurors so challenged are excused. The number of such challenges permitted is unlimited.
Continuance - An adjournment of a scheduled case until a future date.
Convict, N. - A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence as a result of such conviction.
Glossary ~ Page 2
Guide Contents