Criminal Justice Key Terms

Question 1

A criminal court practice that allows someone charged with a crime to plead guilty to a lesser offense (so there will be no trial) or allows them to plead guilty to the original charge with the prosecutor

Answer 1

Plea Bargain

Question 2

A formal promise to perform a specific duty or act

Answer 2

Oath

Question 3

A request by a lawyer during a trial that the judge order a witness not to answer a question asked by the other lawyer… The judge must either “sustain” the objection (agree with it and forbid the witness to answer it) or “overrule” it (allow the question to be asked).

Answer 3

Objection

Question 4

The legal, formal name given to the issues embodied in a complaint against another

Answer 4

Action

Question 5

the defendant in a criminal case

Answer 5

Accused

Question 6

An official order issued by a judge or law enforcement official which notifies the person named in the summons that legal action has been started against the person and which tells him or her a date, time, and place they must appear to answer the complaint

Answer 6

Summons

Question 7

A decision made by a judge or jury

Answer 7

Finding

Question 8

A person in a trial who is accused of a crime or some wrongdoing

Answer 8

Defendant

Question 9

The state of a person who is placed in a jail or prison

Answer 9

Confinement

Question 10

A lawyer who acts on behalf of a defendant on trial

Answer 10

Defense Attorney

Question 11

In criminal cases, a lawyer who is appointed and paid by the state or federal government to defend a person who has been accused of committing a crime and who is not able to afford a private attorney

Answer 11

Public Defender

Question 12

To bring someone to trial to obtain a conviction

Answer 12

Prosecute

Question 13

An announcement by a lawyer that he or she has finished presenting the evidence for that side

Answer 13

Rest One’s Case

Question 14

An answer to a charge or claim; guilty, not guilty, or no contest

Answer 14

Plea

Question 15

A person who starts the action, files a complaint, or sues another person

Answer 15

Plaintiff

Question 16

An official decision by a judge or jury that one party must pay another party a specific amount of money

Answer 16

Award

Question 17

A group of people who have sworn to decide the facts in a court case and to reach a fair verdict, or decision

Answer 17

Jury

Question 18

The opportunity given to the lawyers at the close of testimony to sum up what they believe the jury’s verdict should be

Answer 18

Closing Arguments

Question 19

To threaten someone and have the power to carry-out the threat

Answer 19

Assault

Question 20

Questioning of a witness of the opponent called by the lawyer

Answer 20

Cross Examination

Question 21

The decision that a jury or judge makes after hearing and considering all of the evidence and testimony in a case

Answer 21

Verdict

Question 22

A court that reviews decisions made by trial courts because one side in a case is unhappy with the decision and asks for a “second opinion” on review; an appeals court can agree with the trial court and uphold the lower court decision or disagree with the lower court and overturn the decision

Answer 22

Appeals Court

Question 23

The formal presentation of both sides of a dispute before a judge or jury

Answer 23

Trial

Question 24

The government official who is authorized to accuse and prosecute (bring to trial) someone who is believed to have committed a crime… Prosecutors are known by various names in difference places, i.e. district attorney, state’s attorney, and people’s attorney.

Answer 24

Prosecutor

Question 25

In civil cases, the legal document that states the reasons why someone is being sued and the relief sought

Answer 25

Complaint

Question 26

The law enforcement officer who has jurisdiction or authority in a courtroom

Answer 26

Bailiff

Question 27

Lawyer, attorney, or counselor; someone who gives advice in a legal matter

Answer 27

Counsel

Question 28

An order signed by a judge or prosecutor requiring the presence of someone in a court on a specific date and time

Answer 28

Subpoena

Question 29

A person who employs or retains a lawyer to advise and defend them in a legal matter

Answer 29

Client

Question 30

The place in the courtroom where the judge sits

Answer 30

Bench

Question 31

The presentation made by the lawyers on each side of a case at the start of trial... During opening statements, the issues and facts that will be presented are outlined; the purpose of opening statements is to give the jury an overview of the case so the jurors will be better able to understand the evidence they will hear.

Answer 31

Opening Statements

Question 32

Someone who has seen or heard something; someone who provides evidence about something; someone who is officially ordered to testify in a court

Answer 32

Witness

Question 33

To strike or hit someone else

Answer 33

Battery

Question 34

An act that is harmful to society

Answer 34

Crime

Question 35

The amount of evidence required in a case in order for the jury to find in favor of the person bringing the suit; the more serious the consequences of the case, the greater amount of proof required

Answer 35

Burden of Proof

Question 36

A reason why a defendant could not have done what they are accused of doing; usually a statement by a witness the defendant was somewhere else

Answer 36

Alibi

Question 37

A legal action stated against another asking recovery for a private wrong; not a criminal case

Answer 37

Civil Case

Question 38

In criminal cases, the decision by a judge or jury as to what punishment is appropriate for a convicted defendant

Answer 38

Sentence

Question 39

A legal system for people under the age of eighteen that is different in some ways from the adult system

Answer 39

Juvenile Law

Question 40

Evidence given after taking an oath in court to tell the truth; questions answered under oath concerning what one knows about a case being heard in court

Answer 40

Testimony

Question 41

A jury that cannot agree on a verdict; this can result in a new trial before different jurors

Answer 41

Hung Jury

Question 42

A jury that investigates criminal complaints and decides whether someone should be formally charged with committing a crime

Answer 42

Grand Jury