Street Law 1 Flashcards
State of mind
What you are thinking: most crimes require that the actor have a guilty state of mind
Prosecutor
The stage or federal government attorney in a criminal case
Principal
The person who commits the crime
Plantiff
In a civil case, the injured party who brings legal action against alleged wrongdoer
Parole
Release from prison because full sentence was served
Mitigating circumstances
Factors that tend to less seriousness of an offense
Misdemeanor
A criminal offense, less serious than a felony
Prison is one year or less
Mens rea
Latin term used by lawyers to discuss the requirement for a guilty state of mind
Accessory
A person who helps commit a crime but is usually not present at the time.
Accomplice
Person who voluntarily helps another person commit a crime; usually present of directly helps the crime
Adversarial system
US judicial system where opposing parties present their legal conflicts before an impartial judge and jury
Aggravating circumstances
Factors that increase seriousness of offense
Suspended state
Sentence issued by the court but not acutely served. Person usually released by court with no conditions
