Common Police Terms Flashcards
Bail
Property, usually money, given as a surety that a person released from custody will return at a certain time
Blotter
A book or complication of reports recording arrests as they occur and usually available for perusal by reporters
Booking
The period immediately after arrest during which the charges against a suspect are entered into the police register
Burglary
The felony of breaking into and entering a building with the intent to steal
Complaint
The formal action or criminal charge brought against a person by a prosecutor
Coroner
The city or county official with the responsibility to look into circumstances of violent or sudden death
Entrapment
The deliberate attempt by police to get a person to commit a crime
False Arrest
The unlawful physical restraint of a person in jail
Felony
The gravest crimes such as murder or rape, punishable by more than a year in prison
Inquest
A judicial inquiry, especially before a jury, often about the cause of death
Jail
City and county facilities administered by local law enforcement agencies for pre trial detention of suspects and short term sentences
Misdemeanor
A criminal defense that is less serious than the worst crimes, usually punishable by less than a year in jail
Murder
The unlawful killing of a human being with malice a forethought
Penal Code
The state rules for crime and punishment
Prison
A state or federally run facility for the confinement of persons convicted of crimes, usually with rehabilitation programs
Recidivism
Repeated or habitual relapse into crime
Robbery
The felonious taking of the property of another person by violence or intimidation
Summons
An order to appear before a court as for trial
SWAT
Specially trained police officers formally known as Special Weapons and a Tactics team
Intent
The state of mind of a person to commit a particular act
Homicide
The killing of one human being by another
Autopsy
Examination and dissection of a corpse to determine the cause of death
