Legal Terms Flashcards
Accessory after the fact
Person that is aware a crime has been committed, conceals, hides assists or protects a person who has committed a crime.
Accessory before the fact
Person who plans or aids the commission of a crime, is absent when crime is committed.
Armed Robbery
Felonious action of taking another’s personal property against their will by force and with the use of a deadly weapon.
Attorney
Lawyer, officer of the court.
Burden of proof
Duty imposed on plaintiff or prosecution to prove the charges that have been brought against the defendant in a legal proceeding.
Conspiracy
Two or more people to agree to join together to commit a crime
Criminal intent
Knowledge or awareness that one is committing a criminal act
Criminal Law
Branch of law that deals with crimes and their punishment
Cross-examination
Questioning of a witness by an attorney of the opposite side during a legal proceeding after the direct examination has taken place.
Defendant
Accused person in a criminal case or the person from whom damages are sought in a civil case.
Felony
Serious or major crime against the law
Felony-Murder rule
The rule which holds that if a homicide takes place in the commission of a crime, a person can be held accountable for the charge of murder.
Hearsay
Some information or evidence that is second-hand experience, or not witnessed.
Judge
Legal person who is authorized to preisde over, hear or decide a case in court.
Jury
Number of individuals who are chosen to hear, determine the facts, and render a decision in a trial
Objection
A point of order raised by a lawyer to an attempted statement, action of an attorney or judge in a trial
Objection overruled
Words used by a judge when he disagrees with a lawyer who raised an objection
Objection Sustained
The words used by a judge when he agrees with a lawyer who raised an objection.
Opening Statement
Speech made by an attorney to a jury or judge in order to give his explanation of the case.
Perjury
Wilful giving of false testimony under oath
Presumption of Innocense
Assumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty
Reasonable Doubt
Term used to decide the kind and amount of uncertainty that a reasonable person might have in reaching a conclusion in ordinary matters, the reasonable doubt in the mind of a juror could justify an acquittal.
Testimony
An oral statement of evidence given by a witness while under oath during a court proceeding
Verdict
Formal decision made by a jury, judge in a trial
Witness
Individual who testifies under oath at a trial.
