Criminal Justice Participants
What is a defendant?
The person accused of a crime
Who is the public official authorized to decide cases in a court of law?
The Judge
What crime is it to deliberately set fire to property?
Arson
What are objects or information used to prove a fact in court?
What amendment protects the right against unnecessary or unreasonable searches of a person's property?
The Fourth Amendment
What is a juvenile deliquent?
A minor (usually under 18 years old) who commits a crime.
Who is the lawyer who represents the state or governement in a criminal case?
The Prosecutor
What is a serious crime that is usually punishable by imprisonment over a year?
A Felony
What is testimony?
Evidence given by a witness under oath.
What are rights that are read to a suspect upon their arrest?
Miranda Rights
A witness
What is a defense attorney?
The lawyer representing the person accused of a crime.
What is a misdemeanor?
A less serious crime, ususally punishable by fines or less than a year in prison.
What is double jeopardy?
What does the right to counsel mean?
That defendants have the right to be represented by an attorney. If they cannot afford one, the government must provide one.
What is an alibi witness?
A person who testifies that a criminal defendant was somewhere else when a crime occurred
What is a group of cititzens sworn to listen to evidence and decide a verdict?
The Jury
What is robbery?
Taking property from someone by force or threat
What is requesting a higher court to review a case decision?
An appeal
What is money paid to the court to allow a person to be released before trial?
Bail
What is a spectator in court?
Anyone sitting in the gallery (the seating area behind the bar) observing a public trial.
What is a character witness?
Someone who will vouch for a defendant's reputation, personality, and moral traits (e.g., honesty, peacefulness) based on personal knowledge, not direct knowledge of the crime.
What is illegal entry into a building to commit a crime, often theft?
Burglary
What is a verdict?
The final decision made by a jury or judge (guilty or innocent)
What is one right that is protected by the Fifth Amendment?
It protects against testifying against yourself under oath
It guarantees the right to a fair and legal trial