Competency
Having the ability to participate in all aspects of the adjudicative process and to participate in whatever decisions might be required during that process.
What is: Competent (to stand trial)?
The two-sided nature of the court where both sides are trying to win.
What is: Adversarial?
A public officer who is authorized (has permission) to oversee a court case.
What is: A judge?
An act that violates public law.
What is: A Crime?
The plea during which the defendant says he/she did do the crime.
What is: Guilty
When a doctor (Psychiatrist, psychologist) will interview you and provide the court with an opinion of your competency.
What is: Competency Evaluation?
Where you go to serve time when convicted of a crime and sentences to less than one (1) year.
What is: Jail?
A person who takes official notes of what is said and done in the courtroom.
Who is: The Court Clerk?
To keep a person in lawful custody. A warrant, crime or statute can authorize this.
What is: Arrest?
The plea during which the defendant says he/she did not do the crime.
Not Guilty
A term that means to examine and look very carefully.
What is: Investigation?
The type of trial where there is no jury involved.
What is: A bench trial?
Someone who comes to court and promises to the judge/jury that they will tell the truth about what they know about a court case.
What is: A witness?
An accusation of a crime, presented in a written complaint by the prosecution.
What are: Charges?
The plea during which the defendant did the crime, but at the time of the crime he/she was not in control of his behavior and did not know the action was wrong.
What is: Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity (NGRI)?
A meeting at which information is obtained.
What is: An interview?
The formal process where a defendant presents him/herself/themselves in court.
What is: Appearance?
A group of community members (usually 12-16 people) that hear the trial and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty based on the evidence.
What is: Jury?
When the defendant is called to court to answer the accusation of charge(s).
What is: Arraignment?
A deal that the defendant makes with the prosecutor where the defendant pleases guilty to a lesser charge for a reduced sentence.
What is: Plea Bargain?
The process of assisting a defendant to gain a better understanding of the court process and improve their ability to assist in their defense in order to be able to stand trial.
What is: Competency/Fitness Restoration?
Type of jury made up of 23 people. This is a pre-trial jury that decides if the prosecution's evidence is strong enough to bring the defendant to trial for the alleged crime/charge.
What is: The Grand Jury?
The police officer in the courtroom.
What is: Bailiff?
Initial pretrial (before a jury or bench trial) arguments by both defense and prosecution.
What is: Preliminary Hearing?
The plea during which the defendant does not say if he is guilty or innocent but does not fight the charges.
What is: No Contest?