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CRIMINAL JUSTICE TERMINOLOGY A through D

Accused - A person, charged with an offense, against whom a criminal proceeding is initiated; the defendant in a criminal case.

Acquittal - Release or discharge, especially by verdict of a jury; being found not guilty.

Appeal - The formal request that a court with appellate jurisdiction review the judgement, decision, or order of a lower court and set it aside (reverse it) or modify it; also, the judicial proceedings or steps in judicial proceedings resulting from such a request.

Arraignment - A hearing that is the initial step in the criminal process wherein the defendant is formally charged with an offense and informed of his/her constitutional rights.

Arrest - To deprive a person of his/her liberty by legal authority; the seizure of an alleged or suspected offender to a crime.

Arrest Warrant - A court document which directs a law enforcement officer to arrest a person and bring him/her to court.

Assistant State's Attorney - An attorney empowered to prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the State.

Bail - To set at liberty a person arrested or imprisoned. A monetary or other form of security given to relieve the accused of imprisonment and secure the appearance of the accused in court.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt - Evidence which is so convincing that the facts alleged are proven indubitably, fully and to a moral certainty.

Bond - A written document guaranteeing a defendant's appearance in court by specifying a sum to be paid as a security should he/she fail to appear. The amount will vary depending on the seriousness of the charge and the offender's past criminal record.

Burden of Proof - The duty of proving facts disputed in the trial of a case - in a criminal case the burden of proof relies on the State and must be beyond a reasonable doubt.

Capital Offense - A criminal offense punishable either by death or a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Charging Document - A written accusation alleging that a defendant has committed an offense.

Criminal vs. Civil Actions - Criminal Action is instituted to punish an infraction of the criminal law. It is initiated to prevent the commission of a crime, or for fixing the guilt of a crime already committed and punishing the offender. A Civil Action is one brought to enforce, redress or protect private rights.

Commissioner - District Court employee who has judicial and administrative powers. Issues warrants and summonses for criminal complaints. Sets bond on arrested persons.

Community Service- When court ordered, is the performance of unpaid work to repay the community for an offense committed.

Conviction - A finding by the jury or judge that the accused is guilty of a crime.

Court - A place where justice is administered.

Court Order- A command or mandatory direction of a judge that is made during a case. Also includes a command of the judge that establishes courtroom or administrative procedure.

Crime - A violation of criminal law. A wrong which the government has determined injurious to the public and prosecutable in a criminal proceeding. Crime is classified as treason, felony or misdemeanor.

Criminal Complaint - A charge brought before a judicial officer that a person named has committed a specified offense.

Defendant - An accused person charged with committing a crime.

Docket - A list of cases to be heard in a trial court on a specific day, containing the title of the case, the attorneys involved.

Double Jeopardy - Being charged twice for the same crime. No individual can be charged for the same crime if found not guilty during a criminal trial.