Key Terms
This term refers to a person who assists in the commission of a crime but is not directly involved in carrying out the act, and usually faces a lesser penalty than the primary offender.
What is an Accessory After the Fact?
The legal term for crimes that are less severe and typically punishable by fines or less severe penalties.
What are Summary Offences?
This is the situation in which a jury cannot reach a unanimous decision on the verdict, causing the trial to be declared a mistrial.
What is a Hung Jury?
A legal document issued by a judge or justice of the peace that allows police to search a specific location for evidence.
What is a Search Warrant?
his term refers to a situation where a police officer or a private citizen takes someone into custody based on their belief that the individual has committed a crime, typically without a warrant.
What is a Citizen's Arrest?
This term refers to the situation when evidence is not admissible because it was obtained through illegal means.
What is Illegally Obtained Evidence?
This type of offence includes criminal activity that involves multiple individuals or groups working together to engage in illegal operations like drug trafficking or money laundering.
What is Organized Crime?
This is the process where a lawyer asks a witness to provide evidence that supports their case and is typically done during direct questioning.
What is Direct Examination?
This is the procedure that police must follow when arresting someone, including informing the individual of the reason for the arrest and their legal rights, such as the right to counsel.
What is an Arrest Power or Arrest Procedure?
This is the group of people who are randomly selected to serve on a trial, and they must decide the verdict based on evidence presented in court.
What is a Jury?
This term refers to the consideration of circumstances that may reduce the severity of a sentence, such as showing remorse
What are Mitigating Circumstances?
This defence applies when someone commits a crime under threat of immediate harm or death.
What is the Defence of Duress?
This term refers to the process of reviewing evidence and arguments by the jury before reaching a verdict.
What is Deliberation?
This is the formal notice given to a person being charged, directing them to appear before a judge or court at a specified time.
What is a Summons?
This is the legal term for questioning a witness by the opposing party to test the accuracy of their testimony.
What is Cross-Examination?
This is the term for questioning a witness in court to test the reliability and credibility of their statements, often done by the opposing side to weaken the case.
What is Cross-Examination?
This type of offence involves more serious crimes such as murder, and is generally prosecuted through a formal trial process with a higher potential penalty.
What is an Indictable Offence?
This is the final phase of a trial in which both the defence and prosecution provide summaries of their arguments, aiming to persuade the judge or jury toward a particular verdict.
What is Summation?
This is a document that directs an individual to attend court to answer a charge, issued by a police officer or a court official when someone is arrested without a warrant.
What is an Appearance Notice?
This term refers to the process of verifying the accuracy of a jury pool, ensuring that those selected to serve on the jury are impartial and qualified.
What is Challenge of Jury List?
This is the legal term for a situation where someone has participated in a crime but in a way that does not involve direct commission, such as aiding or encouraging the primary perpetrator.
What is a Co-Perpetrator?
This defence is used when the accused claims they were unable to form the intent to commit the crime due to a lack of mental capacity, often linked to severe psychological disorder or defect.
What is the Defence of Mental Disorder?
This term refers to the selection process for jurors where potential jurors are asked about their background and views to ensure impartiality.
What is Challenge for Cause?
... isolation of a jury to avoid accidental or deliberate tainting of the jury by exposing them to outside influence or information
What is Sequestered Jury?
This is a document used to compel someone to appear in court or produce evidence.
What is a Subpoena?