Notes: Criminal Justice Terms

Introduction

• Criminal justice explores societal outliers, extremes, repercussions of injustice.
• Common terms: habeas corpus, subpoena, grand jury, probation.
• Aim: Simplified primer to enhance understanding of criminal justice terms.

Law Enforcement Terms

1. Arrest

• Process of taking a person into custody due to crime observation or suspicion.

2. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

• FBI's DNA database with three levels: Local, State, National.
• CODIS has no identifying information; matches notify the original lab.

3. Cause of Death (COD)

• Official description of how someone died, determined by medical examiners.

4. Community Policing

• Public safety philosophy for mutual trust and shared goals between community and law enforcement.

5. Crime

• Acts deemed illegal by state or authority; debate over consensual illegal activities.

6. DNA

• Unique genetic blueprint in cells, essential for life and law enforcement.

7. Excessive Use of Force

• Law enforcement's use of more force than necessary; context-dependent.

8. False Arrest

• Arrest without probable cause or court order.

9. Geo-fence Warrant

• Search warrant for mobile devices within a geographic perimeter.

10. Homicide

• Killing of one human by another; not necessarily intentional.

11. Manner of Death (MOD)

• Circumstances of death: natural, accident, homicide.

12. Missing Person

• Person whose fate and location are unknown.

13. SARA

• Problem-solving method for problem-oriented policing.

14. Warrant

• Authorization for law enforcement action, usually requires a judge's approval.

Court System Terms

15. Acquittal

• Judgment of not guilty.

16. Affidavit

• Document of true facts, notarized, misleading is perjury.

17. Allegation

• Claimed occurrence; unverified.

18. Appeal

• Request for court to review trial propriety.

19. Arraignment

• Court process of charge announcement and plea.

20. Bail

• Money for temporary release; serious offenders may be denied.

21. Bench Trial

• Judge, not jury, decides case facts.

22. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

• High standard for conviction; principle of innocence until proven guilty.

23. Binding Precedent

• Court decision that must be followed by others.

24. Brief

• Written argument for a judge's decision.

25. Case Law

• Application of law based on previous court decisions.

26. Chambers

• Judge's office for private meetings regarding case fairness.

27. Circumstantial Evidence

• Requires interpretation; contrasted with direct evidence.

28. Conviction

• Judgment of guilt.

29. Counsel

• Legal advice or the provider.

30. Damages

• Compensation paid by defendant for injuries.

31. Default Judgment

• Judgment against absent defendant.

32. Discovery

• Examination of opponent's trial facts and documents.

33. Docket

• Official court proceeding log.

34. Felony

• Serious crime with penalties over one year in prison.

35. Grand Jury

• Decides probable cause for federal criminal allegations.

36. Habeas Corpus

• Protection against wrongful imprisonment.

37. Hearsay

• Court testimony about out-of-court statement.

38. Inculpatory Evidence

• Used to establish guilt; opposite of exculpatory.

39. Injunction

• Court order to perform or refrain from specific acts.

40. Jurisdiction

• Court's authority or geographic area coverage.

41. Misdemeanor

• Less serious offense than felony, with lighter penalties.

42. Mistrial

• Invalid or inconclusive trial.

43. Nolo Contendere

• Plea of no contest; accepts punishment without admitting guilt.

44. Petit Jury

• Trial jury for evidence and verdict.

45. Plea

• Statement of innocence or guilt.

46. Pro Se

• Defendant represents themselves without attorney.

47. Remand

• Returning accused to custody or sending a case back to lower court.

48. Subpoena

• Legal compulsion to appear in court or testify.

49. Voir Dire

• Jury selection process; determination of expert witness credibility.

Correctional System Terms

50. Absconder

• Parolee with unknown whereabouts.

51. Administrative Detention

• Detention without trial or within prison system confinement.

52. AIMS

• System to separate inmates to reduce prison tensions.

53. Community Transition Program (CTP)

• Supervision programs for reentry into society post-incarceration.

54. Conditions of Confinement

• Humane conditions required in prisons, guided by Amendments.

55. Conditional Release

• Release due to parole or suspended sentence.

56. Contraband

• Prohibited items in prison.

57. Dead Time

• Non-countable institutional time towards a sentence.

58. Furlough

• Temporary release from incarceration.

59. Neglect

• Insufficient care causing harm or death.

60. Parole

• Supervised release with conditions; can lead to reincarceration.

61. Probation

• Alternative to incarceration with terms; violations lead to penalties.

62. Re-entry Program

• Support for reintegration and reducing reoffending risk.

Conclusion

• Consider a career in criminal justice if interested in applying these terms and pursuing a rewarding field.