Criminal Law Basics
This standard of proof must be met in criminal cases.
What is beyond reasonable doubt?
The organisation responsible for investigating crimes in Queensland.
What is the Queensland Police Service?
Evidence given orally in court by a witness.
What is testimony?
The person accused of committing a criminal offence.
Who is the defendant/accused?
A monetary penalty imposed by a court.
What is a fine?
A law made by Parliament.
What is statute law?
Evidence collected from fingerprints, DNA or blood samples.
What is forensic evidence?
Evidence that suggests a fact but does not directly prove it.
What is circumstantial evidence?
The plea entered when an accused denies the charge.
What is not guilty?
One purpose of punishment aimed at discouraging future offending.
What is deterrence?
The party responsible for proving the accused committed the offence.
Who is the prosecution?
A warrant is generally required before police can do this to private property.
What is conduct a search?
Evidence obtained unlawfully may be ruled this by a judge.
What is inadmissible?
The legal principle that a person is innocent until this occurs.
What is proven guilty?
The process of helping offenders reintegrate into society.
What is rehabilitation?
Criminal law is primarily concerned with offences against this.
What is society/the state?
The legal caution informing suspects of their right to remain silent.
What is a police caution?
A statement made outside court that is generally not admissible as evidence.
What is hearsay evidence?
The party that presents evidence first during a criminal trial.
Who is the prosecution?
A sentence served in the community under supervision.
What is a community service order?
The two main elements required to prove most criminal offences.
What are actus reus and mens rea?
This legislation governs police powers in Queensland.
What is the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (Qld)?
The rule requiring the prosecution to disclose evidence to the defence.
What is disclosure?
The legal term for questioning a witness by the opposing side.
What is cross-examination?
The legislation that guides sentencing decisions in Queensland.
What is the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld)?