Chapter 2 Terms Flashcards
Initial appearance
A court hearing held shortly after a defendant’s arrest, during which the judge advises the defendant of her constitutional rights and appoints an attorney to represent the defendant if the defendant is unable to afford one.
Charging decision
The decision made by a prosecutor concerning the crimes that the defendant will be charged with.
Indictment
A charging document that charges a defendant with a felony.
Information
A charging document that charges a defendant with a misdemeanor.
Accusation
A charging document that charges a defendant with a misdemeanor - used only on state level, not the federal level.
Officer of the court
A person, such as a prosecutor, judge, bailiff, defense attorney, or clerk, who has an ethical and legal obligation to promote justice, to tell the truth, and to help avoid perpetrating any fraud upon the court.
Nolle prosequi
Latin for will not prosecute. An entry into the official record of the prosecutor’s intention to dismiss a case and refuse to carry through with the prosecution of a particular individual in a pending case.
Calendar/docket
A list of pending cases before a particular court.
Fiduciary
A relationship in which one person is obliged to act in a trustworthy and honest relationship to another person. The fiduciary has the responsibility to act in the best interests of the other.
Attorney-client privileges
A legal protection governing the communications, both oral and written, between an attorney and her clients that prevents any legal process from forcing the attorney to reveal those communications.
Defendant
A
Suspect
B
Victim impact statements
C
Exclulsionary rule
D
Panel/venire
E
