Legal Terms Flashcards
Aquit
to find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial
Arbitration
the hearing and settlement of a dispute between opposing parties by a third party whose decision the parties have agreed to accept
Bench warrant
process issue by the court or
“from the bench” for the attachment or arrest of a person
Brief
a legal document, prepared by an attorney, which presents the law and fats supporting his clients
Corpus Delicti
the body or material substance upon which crime has been committed; ex: the corpse of a murdered person or the charred remains of a burned house
Docket
book containing entries of all proceedings in a court
Due Process
constitutional guarantee that an accused person receives a fair and impartial trial
Felony
a serious criminal offense for which the minimum sentence is one year
Indictment
written accusation of a grand jury charging a crime
Judgement
final determination by a court
Litigant
a person or group engaged in a lawsuit
Misdemeanor
criminal offense that is less than a felony and punishable by less than a year in jail
Probable cause
reasonable belief that a crime has been committed; the basis for all lawful searches
Subpoena
a written legal notice requiring a person to appear in court and give testimony or produce documentary evidence
Writ
a written court order directing a person to perform or refrain from performing a specific act
Writ of mandamus
an order issued by a court of superior jurisdiction commanding performance of a particular act by an inferior court of public official
Writ of appeal
the Supreme Court’s acceptance of a case for review as a matter of right, where the Court feels it has no choice
Writ of certiorari
the Supreme Court’s acceptance of a case for review at the discretion of four justices
Writ of habeas corpus
an order by a judge to have an accused person brought from prison to the court to determine if their detention was arbitrary
