probable cause
evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure
expert witness
one who has special training, experience, or skill in a relevant area and is allowed by the court to offer an opinion on some issue within that area of expertise
appeal
the right of a convicted person to ask a higher court to review his or her case
beyond a reasonable doubt
The burden of proof in a criminal case.
misdemeanor
a minor crime usually punishable by less than one year in jail or a small fine.
plea bargain
the negotiation of an agreement between th prosecution and the defense whereby the defendent pleads guilty to a lesser offense for a more lenient sentence
nolo contendere
a defendant's plea of "no contest in a criminal case and means that he or she does not directly admit guilt but submits to sentencing and other punishment
felony
a serious crime of usually more than one year in prison/ and or bigger fines
prosecutor
a government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution
habeas corpus
a writ ordering a prisoner to be brought before a judge
criminal defendant
the party against whom a criminal charge is brought
arraignment
the first appearance un court of a person formally charged of committing a crime
statute of limitations
a law establishing the period of time within which an offense can be punished after its commission
subpoena
a command to appear at court at a specified time and place to testify
probation
the suspension of all or part of a sentence and its replacement by freedom subject to specific conditions and the supervision of an officer of the court
consumer law
statutes that protect buyers by prohibiting unfair or misleading trade practices; setting standards for quality, safety, and reliability of many goods and services, and establishing agencies to enforce laws that help buyers
negligence
the failure to exercise reasonable care in either doing or not doing something, resulting in harm or injury
litigation
this is the process of taking your complaint to court or arguing your case in a court of law
false imprisonment
the intentional or wrongful confinement of another person against his or her will
liability
legal responsibility; the obligation to do or not do something
mediation
the act or process of resolving a dispute between two or more parties
assault
a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped, can be a crime or a tort
battery
any intentional, unlawful physical contact inflicted on one person by another without consent. In some states, this is combined with assault
fraud
any deception, lie, or dishonest statement made to cheat someone
defamation
written or spoken expression about a person that is false and damages that person's reputation
malpractice
failure to meet acceptable standards of practice in any professional or official position; often the basis for lawsuits by clients or patients against their attorney or doctor
libel
a written expression about a person that is false and damages that person's reputation
contract
a legally enforceable agreement between two or more people
breach
the violation of a law, duty, or other form of obligation, either by engaging in an action or failing to act
tort
a breach of some obligation causing harm or injury to someone
damages
compensation, usually in money, provided to a person has suffered a loss or harm due to the unlawful act ot omission of another
slander
spoken words that harm a person's reputation
plaintiff
in a civil case, the injured party who brings an action against the alleged wrongdoer
trespass
the intrusion on, or improper use of property belonging to another without permission
civil defendant
the person against whom a claim is being made, the person who is being sued
civil law
law that does not deal with criminal matters. usually deals with private rights of individuals, groups, and businesses
arbitration
a way of settling a dispute without going to trial
denial
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
emancipation
freeing someone from the control of another
Department of Juvenile Services
The government agency responsible for administration and oversight of all cases involving minors charged with a crime
initial hearing
a preliminary examination of the validity of a youth's arrest, during which the state must prove that as offense was committed and that there is reasonable cause to believe the accused youth committed it.
juvenile
a person not yet legally an adult, a minor
Parental Responsibility
The duty of a parent to provide for the physical, financial, mental, and emotional needs of a child
law sanction
penalties or other means of enforcement used to provide incentives for obedience of the law, or of rules and regulations
aftercare
the monitoring and support of juveniles who have been released from custody or supervision by the juvenile court.
Guardian ad Litem
adult named to sue or defend on behalf of a minor
admission
in pleadings, testimony, or otherwise in court makes the contract enforceable for the quantity of goods admitted
disposition
a final settlement on a decision
Age of Majority
the designated age at which an individual is recognized as an adult
rehabilitation
the restoration of someone to a useful place in society
minor
person who is under the age to have full adult rights and duties
adjudicatory hearing
The fact-finding process by which the juvenile court determines whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain the allegations in a petition.
intake
process in which a probation officer settles cases at the initial appearance before the onset of formal criminal proceedings
truant
one who is absent from school without permission
diversion
a form of sentencing in order to enable offenders of criminal law to avoid criminal charges and a criminal record