Pleas
The plea that means you DID commit the crime.
What is Guilty?
The person accused of committing a crime.
What is the Defendant?
The Judge has found you guilty and has imposed a sentence, but, he says you don’t have to serve the sentence and instead the defendant is placed on probation. If you violate the terms of that probation, you will have to serve out the remaining terms of that sentence in jail.
Suspended sentence
Ordinary people who are impartial and listen to everything that is said in the courtroom then decide the verdict.
What is the Jury?
A crime punishable by imprisonment in excess of one year.
What is a Felony?
The plea that means you DID NOT commit the crime.
What is Not Guilty?
The attorney who is trying to prove to the court that you are guilty of committing the crime for which you were charged.
Who is the Prosecutor?
The Judge has given you credit for the time you have already served in jail while awaiting a resolution of your case.
Time served.
The decision made at the end of the trial.
What is the Verdict?
A crime punishable by imprisonment of less than a year.
What is a misdemeanor?
The plea that means you committed the crime, but due to a mental illness, did not know the difference between right and wrong at the time of the crime.
What is Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity?
The person responsible for keeping order in the court, making sure all the rules are followed, making decisions regarding sentencing when necessary, and deciding verdicts when there is not a jury.
Who is the Judge?
If you have been convicted of more than one charge, the Judge can decide to have you serve the sentence for each charge at the same time
Concurrent Sentence
What should you wear to court?
"Sunday best", like a jacket and tie.
Is a sentence you serve instead of going to prison in which there is a list of rules you must follow, but if you don't follow those rules, you will have to serve out the remainder of your prison sentence.
What is Probation?
The plea that means you accept punishment without admitting whether or not you committed the crime. It also means you give up your right to a trial by jury.
What is No Contest?
A witness who has special knowledge. Examples may include DNA analysts, ballistics experts, and forensic psychologists or psychiatrists.
What is an expert witness?
If you have been convicted of more than one charge, the Judge can decide to have you serve the sentence for each charge one after the other.
Consecutive Sentence
This happens after a defendant is found Guilty in a trial.
What is sentencing?
Is when you were sentenced to prison, but allowed to leave early as long as you behave right.
What is Parole?
The best person to help you decide which plea to enter in court.
What is your Defense Attorney?
A witness who provides testimony about what they saw or heard.
What is an eyewitness?
You have a trial and are found not guilty. You are finished with the criminal charges and may be free to go.
Acquittal
The most common way to resolve a charge WITHOUT going to trial?
What is plea bargaining?
When you go to court to enter your plea
What is an arraignment?