Crimes
What are Misdemeanors?
The highest standard of proof - must be so convincing that everyone can be firmly convinced of the defendant's guilt.
What is Reasonable Doubt?
When the defendant is told the charges against them, their rights, and enters a plea.
What is the Arraignment?
To imprison or confine an individual
What is Incarcerate?
A typically violent crime, punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death - more serious than a misdemeanor.
What is a Felony?
The Sixth Amendment right to have a competent attorney on your side in criminal prosecutions.
What is Assistance of Counsel?
Court proceeding taken after someone is found guilty when the judge determines their punishment.
What is Sentencing Hearing?
Due to an error in the proceedings, a trial is rendered invalid and is dismissed.
What is a Mistrial?
A legal doctrine that declares a person guilty of a death or murder that occurred during the performance of a Felony.
What is Felony Murder?
An unbiased group of individuals chosen to decide the verdict of a case fairly.
What is an Impartial Jury?
Intentionally making a false statement while under oath or in a sworn legal document.
What is Perjury?
Often allows an officer to stop or search an individual when given enough valid evidence that they are suspicious. Determines the legality of a police officer's decision to perform a random search.
What is Reasonable Suspicion?
Intentional killing of someone without forethought or planning, just happening in the moment - crime of opportunity or passion.
What is Voluntary Manslaughter?
An attorney's first change to address a jury in a trial and lay out the facts they are going to attempt to prove.
Pretrial proceeding when the judge decides if there is enough evidence to even continue with the case in court.
Promises the rights of individuals, that no one should be "deprived of life liberty, or property..." during legal procedures.
What is Due Process?
Unintentional killing of another person due to negligence or recklessness - such as Vehicular Manslaughter.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Final opportunity an attorney has to prove their argument and persuade the jury to favor their client.
What are Closing Statements?
Execution of a criminal as a punishment for the most serious crime - death penalty.
What is Capital Punishment?
The courts power to hear or decide a certain case or enforce laws. Can also mean the territory or physical limits where a court can exercise its authority.
What is Jurisdiction?