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When prosecutors have the last opportunity to speak during closing arguments
Rebuttal
An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted; inadmissible
Hearsay
Whether or not the defendant actually committed a crime vs. when the prosecutor persuades the judge or jury that the defendant is guilty
(Answer is in the form of "___ vs. ___")
Factual guilt vs. legal guilt
Sentencing concept that takes into account an offender's criminal past
Social debt
Occurs when the jury is unable to reach an agreement regarding the guilt or innocence of the defendant
Hung jury/deadlocked jury
Dying declaration
Trials used to settle disputes between two parties with no criminal misconduct
Civil trials
Gathers information on extenuating circumstances and the criminal history of the defendant to be used when determining the severity of the sentence
Presentence investigation
Exception to the hearsay rule; allows witnesses to testify under oath about the reputation of a person's friends/acquaintances
Reputation concerning character
Language template used when charging the jury
Pattern jury instructions
Type of mandatory minimum that mandates long (or even life) prison terms for a third offense
Three-strikes laws
Type of jury in capital cases in which attorneys ascertain whether the prospective juror is suitable to sit on a case that may result in the death penalty
Death-qualified jury
Exception to the hearsay rule; a statement made by a shocking/upsetting event can be used in court
Excited utterance
Fixed sentences & no possibilities of alternatives to prison VS. sentencing with more judicial discretion & sentence is a range of years rather than a specific number
(Answer is in "___ vs. ___" format)
Determinate vs. indeterminate sentencing
Federal rules guiding what is evidence and what can be introduced (as evidence) in a trial
2004 law establishing numerous rights for crime victims in federal cases
Crime Victims' Rights Act
Ability of a jury to ignore the law and acquit a guilty defendant
Jury nullification
A trial in which a judge (or a panel of judges) acts as the fact finder, weighs the evidence, deliberates, and makes a verdict
Bench trial
Form of structured sentencing that applies statute-based minimum sanctions to particular types of crime and/or when particular elements of a crime exist
Mandatory minimums
Double trial system used for capital cases
Bifurcated trials
(Organization) helps victims with funding, leadership, policies, and practices
Office for Victims of Crime
Adjudicate
1984 law eliminating parole release for individuals incarcerated in federal prisons and abolished almost all good time earned
Federal Sentencing Act of 1984 (a.k.a. Federal Sentencing Guidelines Act)
Additional instructions a judge may give to a deliberating jury to discourage a mistrial
Allen charge
1994 law requiring people to serve at least 85% of their sentences in order for states to qualify for federal financial aid
Victim Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act