CRIMINAL LAW BASICS
This Latin term means “guilty act.”
What is Actus Reus?
This term means making something less severe.
What is mitigating?
Evidence that directly proves guilt or innocence (like eyewitness testimony).
What is direct evidence?
A model that shows levels of force officers can use to overcome resistance.
What is the force continuum?
Arizona laws that are written and enforced statewide.
What are the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS)?
This Latin phrase describes the “guilty mind” required for criminal intent.
What is Mens Rea?
A person has this mental state when they intend a specific result or action.
What is intentionally?
Evidence based on probability and circumstances rather than direct observation.
What is circumstantial evidence?
Force that is likely to cause serious bodily injury or death.
What is lethal force (deadly force)?
Items that are illegal or prohibited.
What is contraband?
This crime classification in Arizona includes six classes and may result in imprisonment.
What is a felony?
When someone is aware of the risk but disregards it, they are acting this way.
What is recklessly?
Objects found at a crime scene that can be collected.
What is physical evidence?
Any physical or verbal force used by officers to control suspects.
What is use of force?
A written state law.
What is a statute?
This term refers to three classes of crimes in Arizona that may result in jail time or fines.
What is a misdemeanor?
This mental state involves failing to think or act in a preventive way, leading to harmful outcomes.
What is negligence?
Evidence connected to one specific individual, such as DNA.
What is individual evidence?
Officers who respond to crime scenes to collect evidence and conduct follow-up investigations.
What is a detective?
This term describes information based on feelings or personal opinions.
What is subjective information?
This term means actions, thoughts, or planning a crime before it happens.
What is premeditation?
This phrase refers to the state of mind that determines a person's degree of blame or responsibility.
What is culpable mental state?
Legal proof permitted by a judge to be presented at trial.
What is evidence?
To ask questions that may be incriminating in nature.
What is an interrogation?
A person who saw or heard an incident and can relay what happened.
Who is a witness?