Lawyers and Judges
The lawyer representing the defendant.
What is... Defense Attorney.
An accused's first appearance before a judge or magistrate following arrest.
What is...Initial Appearance.
The process by which the accused and the prosecutor work out a mutually satisfactory conclusion to the case, subject to court approval.
What is...Plea Bargaining.
A charge or written accusation, issued by a grand jury, that probable cause exists to believe that a named person has committed a crime.
What is...Indictment.
Court-appointed attorneys who are paid by the state to represent defendants who cannot afford private counsel.
What is...Public defense.
The dollar amount or conditions set by the courts to ensure that as individual accused of a crime will appear for further criminal proceedings.
What is...Bail.
An initial hearing in which a magistrate decides if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime with which he or she is charged.
What is...Preliminary Hearing.
A plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts that they will probably be found guilty.
What is... An Albert Plea
A rule of evidence requiring that communications between a client and his or her attorney be kept confidential, unless the client consents to disclosure.
What is...Attorney-Client Privilege.
The retention of an accused person in custody due to fears that she or he will commit a crime if released before trial.
What is...Preventive Detention.
Formal investigation by each side prior to trial.
What is...Discovery.
An alternative to prosecution in which the prosecutor agrees to delay criminal proceedings against a defendant as long as the defendant meets certain requirements for a predetermined amount of time.
What is...Deferred Prosecution.
Individuals, acting as trial lawyers, who initiate and conduct cases in the government's name and on behalf of the people.
What is...Public prosecutors.
An alternative to posting bail in cash, in which the defendant gains pretrial release by providing the court with property as assurance that he or she will return.
What is...Property Bonds.
A group of citizens called to decide if there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime with which she or he is charged.
What is...Grand Jury.
A court proceeding in which the suspect is formally charged with the criminal offense states in the indictment.
What is...Arraignment.
The chief law officer of a state; also, the chief law officer of the nation.
Attorney General.
A businessperson who agrees, for a fee, to pay the bail amount if the accused fails to appear in court as ordered.
What is...Bail Bond Agent.
The formal charge against the accused issued by the prosecutor after a preliminary hearing has found probable cause.
What is...Information.
Latin for "I will not contest it." A plea in which a criminal defendant chooses not to challenge, or contest, the charges brought by the government.
What is...Nolo Contendere.