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CRIMINAL JUSTICE TERMINOLOGY P through R

Parole - In criminal Law, a conditional release; the condition being such that is a prisoner fulfills certain requirements, he/she will receive an absolute discharge from balance of sentence, but if s/he does not, s/he will be returned to serve unexpired time.

Peace Officer - Police Officer - A person charged with the duty to enforce and preserve the public peace.

Peace Order - Civil order issued by a judge to prevent one person from committing certain acts against another.

Personal Recognizance - A condition under which an individual is released from jail or arrest, in lieu of bail, upon his/her promise to appear in court and answer a criminal charge.

Plea - Statement made by the defendant as to his/her guilt or innocence of the charge made against him/her by the State.

Plea-Bargain - A negotiation in which concessions are made by the prosecution in exchange for a guilty plea from the defendant.

Preliminary Hearing - A hearing conducted to determine whether or not probable cause for the arrest of a person exists, and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant the defendant's detention.

Pre Trial Conference - A meeting between the Prosecutor and the witness to a crime. The witness is notified of the date and time of this conference by receiving a summons. At the pre-trial conference the witness has an opportunity to fully discuss the case and ask questions.

Pre Trial Release - The release by a judicial officer of a defendant, prior to trial, under conditions that the judicial officer feels will reasonably ensure the defendant's appearance as required.

Probable Cause - A set of facts and circumstances which would induce a reasonably intelligent and prudent person to believe that which has been presented

Probation - The court disposition enabling the provision of community services and case management oversight for adjudicated persons: a system to encourage good behavior among prisoners by reducing the length of their term as a reward for good behavior.

Probation Before Judgement - The staying of entry judgement, and the placing of a person on probation, subject to reasonable terms and conditions as appropriate.

Prosecutor - One who brings an action against another in the name of the government.

Protective Orders - Civil order issued by a judge to prevent one person from committing certain acts against another. These generally apply to people in domestic relationships.

Public Defender - A court-appointed attorney assigned to represent a defendant who cannot afford private counsel.

Reasonable Doubt - The state of mind of jurors when they do not feel a moral certainty about the truth of the charge, and when the evidence does not exclude every other reasonable hypothesis except that the defendant is guilty as charged.

Restitution - The payment of money or goods to the victim of a crime, to a government entity, or third party as a payment for an offense committed.