Public Safety I - Court System Vocabulary

Front

A judicial officer presiding over a court of the lowest tier

Back

Magistrate

Front

Any proceeding before a judge or other qualified hearing officer without a jury, in which evidence and argument is presented to determine some issue of fact or both issues of fact and law.

Back

Hearing

Front

A challenge to a previous legal determination.

Back

Appeal

Front

A disagreement, argument, or controversy.

Back

Dispute

Front

The authority or jurisdiction of a court.

Back

Resort

Front

A formal meeting in a law court, at which a judge and jury listen to evidence and decide whether a person is guilty of a crime.

Back

Trial

Front

Agreements between defendants and prosecutors in which defendants agree to plead guilty to some or all of the charges against them in exchange for concessions from the prosecutors.

Back

Plea-bargain

Front

A concept of ethics and law that means that people behave in a way that is fair, equal and balanced for everyone.

Back

Justice

Front

The power of officials to act according to the dictates of their own judgment and conscience.

Back

Discretion

Front

Impoverished, or unable to afford the necessities of life.

Back

Indigent