Chapter 3 Flashcards
Adversary system
Legall system involving a contest between two opposing parties under a judge who is an impartial arbiter
Defense attorney
the attorney representing the defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution
Prosecutor
a court official who represents state or government interest in civil or criminal proceeding against a defendant.
Attorney general
Senior U.S. prosecutor in each federal district cout. A cabinet member who heads the Justice Department
Assistant U.S. attorneys (AUSAs)
Government prosecutors who are subordinate to the U.S. attorney who heads the prosecutor’s office for each federal district
Backdooring hearsay evidence
remarks made in front of a jury for their emotional effects, which are otherwise barred because of the inadmissibility of evidence
Criminal informations
written accusations made by a public prosecutor against a person for some criminal offense
Defense strategy
approach taken by defense council for defending his client
Deponent
A person who gives testimony through a disposition
District attorneys
City, county, and state prosecutors
Ethical code
cannon of professional responsibility articulated by professional associations
Exculpatory evidence
any information that exonerates a person of wrongdoing
Harmless error doctrine
errors of a minor nature and not deemed to harm the rights of parties in a legal action
inculpatory evidence
any information that places the defendant in an unfavorable light and increases the likelihood of his guilt.
Indictment
Charges presented by a grand jury that a defendant probably committed a crime
Informations
written accusations made by a public prosecutor against a person for some criminal offense without an indictment.
Malicious prosecution
prosecution against someone without probable cause or reasonable suspicion
Prosecutorial bluffing
Attempt by prosecution to bluff the defendant into believing that the case is much stronger than it really is.
Prosecutorial misconduct
any deliberate action that violates ethical codes or standards governing the role of prosecutors.
Rules of Criminal Procedure
Rules legislatively established by which a criminal case is conducted
Screening cases
procedure used by prosecutor to define which case merit to be prosecuted and which one does not.
State’s attorneys
Government prosecutors.
True bills
Grand jury decision that sufficient evidence exists that a crime has been committed and that a specific suspect committed it.
United States Attorney
Official responsible for prosecuting of crimes that violate the laws of the U.S.
United States attorney’s office
Chief prosecuting body affiliated with each U.S. District court in the federal court system.
Venue
Area over which a judge exercise authority to Place where a trial is held
Witnesses
persons who have relevant information about the commission of a crime.
