Criminal Process
a document prepared by the prosecutor and presented to the judge which demonstrated enough evidence to charge a defendant and bring them to trial
Information
A trial before a judge without a jury
Bench Trial
The first appearance in court by the defendant, at which the defendant is advised of the pending charges, the right to counsel, and the right to trial by jury and he or she enters a plea to the charge.
Arraignment
The duty of the plaintiff or prosecution to establish a claim or allegation by admissible evidence and to prove that the defendant committed all the essential elements of the crime to the jury's or court's satisfaction beyond any reasonable doubt, in order to convict the defendant.
burden of proof
a defendant's plea declaring that he will not make a defense but not admitting his guilt
nolo contendere
A U.S. law that provides extended penalties for criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
RICO Act
A jury of 6 to 12 persons that determines guilt or innocence in a civil or criminal action.
petit jury
Allows employees to sue employers on behalf of the federal government
Employee retains share of recovery
False Claims Act
Agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser offense to avoid having to stand trial for a more serious offense.
plea bargain
A law passed by Congress that requires the CEO and CFO to certify that their firm's financial statements are accurate.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act