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CRIMINAL JUSTICE TERMINOLOGY E through O

Evidence - Proof, either written or unwritten, of allegations in issue between parties. Evidence includes the testimony of witnesses, introduction of records, documents, objects or any other probative matter.

Felony - Classification for higher degree of crime ( ex. Murder) as opposed to minor offenses known as misdemeanors. An offense punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

Grand Jury - Holds the duty of hearing the evidence for the prosecution in each bill of indictment, to decide whether a sufficient case is made out on which to hold the accused for trial.

Guilty - A judicial finding of guilt. In criminal cases a verdict of guilty requires that the evidence indicate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime.

Hung Jury - A jury whose members cannot agree whether the accused is guilty or innocent.

Incarceration- Imprisonment; confinement in a jail or penitentiary.

Indictment - A formal written accusation presented to a grand jury to a court charging that a person had done an act which, by public offense, is punishable.

Judge - One invested with authority to determine any cause or question in a court of justice.

Jurisdiction - The territory, subject matter, or person(s) over which a court or other justice agency may exercise a lawful authority.

Jury - A group of people summoned and sworn to decide on the facts in issue at trial. Composed of peers or a cross-section of the community.

Minor - An infant or person under the age of legal competence (18 years old)

Misdemeanor - An offense less serious than a felony which is sanctioned by less severe penalties, generally punishable by fines and or imprisonment not to exceed one year.

Mistrial - A trial discontinued before reaching a verdict because of some procedural defect or impediment.

Motions - Procedural moves made by either defense attorney or prosecutor and submitted to the court, helping to define and set the ground rules for the proceedings of a particular case.

Motions Hearings - A hearing before a judge in which the prosecutor and the defense attorney may submit motions, or formal requests, for orders or ruling by the judge. Such motions might have to do with evidence to be permitted at trial. The judge decides whether to grant these motions. Witnesses are sometimes required at motions hearings.

Nolo Contendere - (Latin) "I do not wish to contend, fight or maintain." A statement that the defendant will not contend a charge made by the State.

Nolle Prosequi - (Latin) A declaration to a court by the prosecutor that he/she does not wish to further prosecute the case. Commonly referred to as Nol Pros or Nolle.

Not Guilty Plea - A statement by the accused in a criminal action that denies every essential element of the offense charged.

Offender - Not a legal term, but the term most commonly used to describe a person who has been convicted of a crime.

Offense - Any violation of law for which a penalty is prescribed, including both felonies and misdemeanors, and punishable under criminal law.