Criminal Law B Flashcards
Bailiff
A person acting with legal authority in the seizure of personal property; and, also, the official in each courtroom who attends to security within.
Bail
The pledge of cash or property to secure the release of a thing or person which would otherwise be held in custody.
Barrator
A person who, on more than one occasion, incites litigation or spreads false rumours.
Barratry
An intentional wrongful act committed by the crew or master of a ship to the prejudice of the owner or the charterer.
Battered Woman Syndrome
A species of self-defence to manslaughter or murder in which expert evidence is led to demonstrate that a female defendant in an abusive relationship comes to believe that to save herself she must kill her husband first.
Battering Cycle
A three-phase cycle of violent behavior within a spousal relationship.
Battery
Offensive and intentional contact, direct or indirect, which causes injury.
Bawdy House
A brothel; an establishment of ill repute - within which occur acts of prostitution or lewd sex.
Bench
A Judge in court session.
Bigamy
Being married to more than one person at the same time; a criminal offence in most jurisdictions.
Bill of Attainder
Conviction and sentence to death directly by statute, as opposed to resulting from trial.
Blackmail
The obtaining or attempting to obtain something by the use of threats.
Blasphemy
The scurrilous, deriding or intemperate expression of dissent or criticism of God or a state’s official religion.
Blue Ribbon Jury
A jury consisting of highly qualified persons.
Bootlegging
The making of an unauthorized copy of a commercially unreleased performance.
Booze Can
An establishment wherein liquor is sold without a permit and after legal bar hours.
Brady Rule
The suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or punishment.
Break and Enter
A burglary; to break and enter onto another’s premises, land or real property with the intent to there commit a crime, most typically theft
Breathalyzer
A device which records alcohol impairment.
Bribery
A secret payment to a public officer in exchange for preferential treatment.
Buggery
Synonymous with sodomy and referring to ‘unnatural’ sex acts, including copulation, either between two persons of the same sex or between a person and an animal.
Bullying
Repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour intended to cause fear, distress, or harm to another person’s body, emotions, self-esteem or reputation.
Burden of Proof
A rule of evidence that makes a person prove a certain thing or the contrary will be assumed by the court.
Burglary
Breaking and entering a residence for the intention of committing a crime or while lawfully within, commit a crime and to thereafter break out.
