1. Key terms and procedures involved in criminal cases
Objective 5.8
Key terms and procedures involved in criminal cases

2. ARREST

3. a term used by police to indicate that there is
probable cause
a term used by police to indicate that there is
enough reason
to make an arrest
or continue searching

4. warrant (arrest warrant)
a written order
directing
the arrest of someone

5. search warrant a written order to search a specific location
for specific items
(that if found can be used in court as evidence)

6. PRELIMINARY HEARING

7. magistrate
a judicial officer who assists judges in getting cases ready for trial
(he also may hear some cases if agreed to by both parties)

8. bail
money given for the release of a criminal, defendant or witness from legal custody to secure his appearance on the day and time appointed

9. INDICTMENT

10. (they “charge” the suspect)
grand jury
group of citizens who listen to evidence and decide if there are enough facts to indicate the crime was committed
(they “charge” the suspect)

11. ARRAIGNMENT

12. plea bargaining
an agreement to plead guilty to a crime in exchange for a reduced sentence

13. a crime punishable by death
capital crime
a crime
punishable by death

14. entering a plea The accused says “guilty” or “not guilty”
(in Virginia this is done at the start of the trial)

15. setting a court date Deciding when the trial will be held
(time is allowed for both sides to set up their case)

16. TRIAL

17. (commonly called “jury”)
petit jury
persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and decide a verdict on matters of fact
(commonly called “jury”)

18. Trial by a judge and no jury (General District Court)
bench trial
Trial by a judge and no jury
(General District Court)

19. the state’s (government’s) side of the proceedings in a criminal trial
prosecution
the state’s (government’s)
side of the proceedings in a criminal trial

20. the accused person’s side of the proceedings in a criminal trial
defense
the accused person’s
side of the proceedings in a criminal trial

21. a command to a person to appear in court and give testimony
subpoena/summons
a command to a person to appear in court and give testimony

22. witness
a person called upon by either side in a case to give testimony before the court or jury

23. testimony
evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or presented to a grand jury

24. “guilty” or “not guilty”
VERDICT
The decision of
“guilty” or “not guilty”
as determined by the
jury (jury trial)
or judge (bench trial)

25. SENTENCING

26. The decision of the JUDGE of what punishment will be given
SENTENCING
The decision of
the JUDGE
of what punishment will be given