Crime-Fighting Superheroes
This is a police officer who specializes in a certain type of investigation - the first officers on scene might call for one to come out and investigate.
What is a detective?
Anyone charged with a crime can get help from this person - it's guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment.
What is a defense attorney (or defense counsel)?
A defendant who killed someone with premeditation - meaning he had time to reflect and change his mind, but did it anyway - may be convicted of this.
What is first degree murder?
The jury will eventually deliberate and reach this - it'll either be "guilty" or "not guilty."
What is a verdict?
Someone who's convicted at trial can challenge the conviction by pursuing this.
What is an appeal?
This person is ready to take your call when you dial 9-1-1.
What is a dispatcher?
When police arrest someone and they want to ask him questions, they'll give him this - which is named after an Arizonan who was charged with murder in 1963.
What is a Miranda warning?
This is any crime with a possible penalty of more than one year in prison.
What is a felony?
Someone with specialized knowledge that helps the jury can testify as this type of witness.
What is an expert witness?
This is the top authority on interpreting Arizona law.
What is the Arizona Supreme Court?
Police rely on this person to argue the State's case at trial.
What is a prosecutor (or prosecuting attorney)?
Time is of the essence! The Sixth Amendment guarantees a case will be resolved without unreasonable delay under this right.
What is (the right to a) speedy trial?
Someone who steals property while using physical force against the victim has committed this crime.
What is robbery?
Once a lawyer shows why an exhibit should be considered by the jury, the lawyer can make a motion to do this.
What is admit (an exhibit)?
If all else fails in our state courts, a defendant with a claim under the U.S. constitution could seek a writ of habeas corpus here.
What is federal court (or federal district court)?
This person takes photos or dusts for prints, but doesn't have to be a police officer to do it.
What is a crime scene specialist (or crime scene investigator)?
Under the Fourth Amendment, the police can get one "upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
What is a warrant?
This crime happens when a defendant enters a structure (like a home or a business) with the intent to commit theft.
What is burglary?
The State has to prove the defendant's guilt to this level of certainty.
What is beyond a reasonable doubt?
Appeals judges don't hear from witnesses; they have to rely on this, which is made up of transcripts, exhibits, written briefs, and rulings the trial court made.
What is the record?
This is the term for an expert who examines a certain type of evidence, whether it's DNA, fingerprints, or electronic devices.
What is a forensic expert?
This person also has constitutional rights in Arizona, including the right to attend all court proceedings and the right to give input about any plea bargain.
What is the victim?
If the State takes someone to trial for murder, but the jury finds him guilty of manslaughter, it's because manslaughter is this, compared to murder.
What is a lesser offense (or lesser included offense)?
What is a mistrial?
If a defendant finds new evidence that raises doubt about his guilt, he can file a petition asking the trial court for this.
What is post-conviction relief?