Whose
To Say
What
This is
About
100

Seminal case creating two-part test for ineffective assistance of counsel claims, placing burden on defendants to demonstrate prejudicially below "objective standard of reasonableness" representation from counsel, further expanding Gideon.

Strickland v. Washington

100

A form of compensation in which an attorney is paid a given amount of money per hour worked on a case.

Hourly rate

100

A private attorney who contracts with a city, county, or state government to provide indigent defense representation.

Contract counsel

100

The final outcome of a legal case.

Disposition

100

A document issued by a judicial officer giving law enforcement permission to arrest or search and seize.

Warrant

200

An attorney who takes over the representation of a defendant when there is a conflict of interest.

Conflict counsel

200

Grand jury initiates criminal proceeding by anonymously voting if there's sufficient evidence to bring formal charges against the accused.  

Indictment
200

A "problem-solving court" as an alternative to punitive criminal courts to treat root causes of criminal conduct.

Specialty court

200

Seminal case extending fundamental right to appointed counsel to all cases where there is a possibility of a jail sentence, further expanding Gideon.

Argersinger v. Hamlin

200

An attorney who works on behalf of the government to handle criminal cases under reduced-hours, often hired through a firm.

Part-time prosecutor

300

Defendant is not held in jail/prison when they appear in court for their court appearances related to their crime.

Out-of-custody

300

A government-funded attorney, chosen by voters, who manages an indigent defense office.

Elected Public Defender

300

The court with jurisdiction over violations of local laws that occur within a locality.

Local court

300

Altnerative, holistic pre-trial options for defendants besides incarceration to keep defendants out of the criminal system.

Diversion

300

When the defendant changes their initial answer to the criminal charge brought against them.

Change of plea

400

The payment attorneys receive in exchange for providing legal services.

Compensation

400

Restrictions placed on defendant if they are released from custody pending trial.

Release conditions

400

Constitutional amendment that requires states provide all citizens and those subjected to their jurisdiction equal protection under the law.

Fourteenth Amendment

400

The highest tribunal in a state, which acts as the final arbiter of law and serves as court of last resort for judicial review.

State Supreme Court

400

Phase after the defendant is convicted if the defendant fails to meet the conditions of their conviction or plea.

Post-adjudication

500

Constitutional requirement that certain procedures be followed before the government can take away a person's life, liberty, or property.

Due process

500

When an attorney or an attorney's investigator conducts their own independent inquiry into the facts of a case, generally by interviewing witnesses, visiting the crime scene, collecting physical or digital evidence, or requesting public records.

Investigation
500

Process in which a defendant is informed of their constitutional protections that typically occurs at the defendant's initial appearance or arraignment.

Advisement of rights

500

Seminal case expanding the right to counsel to guarantee effective assistance of counsel for the first appeal.  

Evitts v. Lucey

500

When a defendant voluntarily relinquishes rights guaranteed to them by constitutions, statutes, and caselaw.

Waiver of rights