Ch 12 Terms Flashcards
A criminal trial that is held without jury, as requested by the person charged.
bench trial
County-level elected official who provides services to the justice of the peace.
constable
A criminal defendant’s due process right to be protected from being tried a second time (after receiving a not-guilty verdict the first time).
double jeopardy
Constitutionally protected rights of persons accused of committing criminal acts.
due process
A due process right that makes it illegal for the government to use evidence gathered during an unlawful police search.
exclusionary rule
A panel composed of 12 citizens who determine whether enough evidence exists to charge a person with a felony and make him or her stand trial.
grand jury
Term describing the failure to render a verdict in a criminal case.
hung jury
Eight categories of crime used for statistical study by the federal and state governments.
index crimes
A finding by the grand jury that the case will proceed to the trial stage; also called a true bill.
indictment
A process in which the accused receives a lighter sentence than could be expected from a trial verdict in exchange for a guilty plea.
plea bargaining
The total set of facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that an individual committed a specific criminal act.
probable cause
A government employee who initiates criminal cases against individuals.
prosecutor
The county’s chief law enforcement officer; elected to a 4-year term.
sheriff
The state’s definitions and categorizations of crimes and punishments.
Texas Penal Code
An elite division of the Department of Public Safety that investigates major crimes and allegations of police misconduct.
Texas Rangers
