Actors in the Criminal Justice System
An individual who, by virtue of passing a state’s licensing requirements, is able to represent a client in court.
What is an Attorney?
An act that is against the law and a person can be imprisoned no more than 15 days.
What is a violation?
Process for determining the outcome of a particular matter in dispute
What is Adjudication?
The initial step in the criminal justice process where the state deprives a suspect of her freedom due to alleged violations of criminal law.
What is an Arrest?
Decides cases and makes sure legal proceedings are followed in the courtroom.
What is a Judge?
Individual who represents the state.
What is a Prosecutor?
A crime which the state can imprison a person for up to one year, but no more.
What is a Misdemeanor?
Initial court proceeding where the state formally charges the defendant with a crime and in which the defendant usually pleads guilty of not guilty
What is Arraignment?
Statements that a witness makes under oath, usually at trial.
What is Testimonial Evidence?
A person who testifies as to his or her knowledge of the facts related to a particular case.
What is a Witness?
Government; society; a group of people living under a single government
What is the State?
A serious crime that the state can imprison a person for more than a year.
What is a felony?
The defendant’s response to a criminal charge, generally guilty or not guilty.
What is a Plea?
A written accusation by a grand jury charging individual with a crime, generally a felony.
What is an Indictment?
12 neutral (impartial) people who determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty
What is a Jury?
They represents the defendant
What is a Defense Attorney?
physical objects that play part in the crime.
What is Physical Evidence?
1) Questioning of a witness by a lawyer at a trial or deposition.
2) Questioning of a favorable witness (on either side).
3) Questioning of that same witness from the opposite.
1) What is examination?
2) What is Direct examination?
3) What is Cross-examination?
The attorney’s select jurors for the trial
What is Voir Dire?
23 citizens who decides whether there is “reasonable cause” to believe whether a defendant committed a crime and if an indictment should be issued.
What is a Grand Jury?
An individual whom the government has charged with a crime
What is a Defendant?
Tangible items collected or created that the parties introduce to trial to illustrate and clarify verbal testimony.
What is Demonstrative Evidence?
Money or other security provided by the defendant or on their behalf to assure that the person will appear in court.
What is Bail?
the punishment or penalty that the judge (sometimes the jury) gives to a person who has pleaded guilty or whom a jury has found guilty
What is sentencing?
Officer of the court who: 1) Protects the judge 2) Is in charge of the defendant 3) looks after the jurors
What is a Court Officer?