LEGAL DEFINITIONS

These definitions are meant to help you if you are involved in a criminal or civil case.

Acquittal: The decision of judge or jury after trial that a person is not guilty of the crime as charged.

Adjudication: The final decision of what happens to a case.

 
Advocate: A person who supports and defends someone else.

Arraignment: Court proceeding where a defendant is notified of the charge against him/her and enters a plea.

Bail (Bond): Money or credit given to the court for the temporary release of a defendant awaiting trial.

Case Number: The number given to your case/report when you file a report with the police. It is important to keep this number and to have it available if you call the police for information about your case.

Complaint: Formal accusation made by a victim about a crime.

Continuance: Postponement of a court hearing.

Conviction: A judge or jury’s finding that the defendant is guilty.

Defendant: A person who is formally charged with a crime. (Before they are charged they are called a ‘suspect’).

Deposition: A written statement taken under oath by the witness for use in court in her/his absence.

Disposition: The final decision or judgment of the case.

Felony: A serious crime, such as rape, for which a person may be sentenced to prison for more than a year.

Medical Forensic Exam and Evidence collection: A medical-forensic exam is a comprehensive medical exam performed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner. The medical exam includes collection of forensic evidence from the person’s body which may be used in a court proceeding.

Incest: Any sexual assault which happens between blood or familial relations (father, stepfather, sister, brother, uncle, first cousins, aunt) and a child under 18 years old.

Indictment: A written statement charging a person with a crime based on the findings of a grand jury.

Juvenile: A person who is under the age of 18.

Misdemeanor: A lesser crime which is not as serious as a felony and has a lesser punishment.

Plea Bargaining: An agreement between the prosecutor and the defense attorney to reduce or drop some charges if a defendant pleads guilty.

Probation: Release of an offender from jail, after conviction, which requires him/her to follow specific conditions of release.

Restitution: Money given for loss, damage, or injury. Restitution is ordered by the court to be paid by the defendant to the victim.

Sentence: Action taken by the court which will hold the offender responsible for the crime.

Subpoena: An order issued by the court requiring a person to appear in court.

Victim Impact Statement: A written statement where the victim describes how the crime affected her/him. This statement may be read during sentencing.

Waive: To choose to give up a right.

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