Criminal Justice Terms Overview

Appeal

• A request made by a party who lost in a lower court to a higher court to review the decision
• Usually, the appellant is seeking a reversal of the lower court's decision

Bail

• Release of a person from jail before trial, under specific conditions
• Conditions are designed to ensure the person appears in court as needed

Bench Warrant

• A type of arrest warrant issued by a judge, not by the police

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (BRD)

• The legal standard for conviction in criminal court
• The prosecution must convince the jury that there is no other reasonable explanation for the crime except the defendant's guilt

Burden of Proof

• The responsibility to prove disputed facts
• In criminal cases, the burden of proof is on the prosecution

Criminal Justice Funnel

• An analogy to illustrate the large number of crimes committed and the relatively small number of people who are imprisoned
• The funnel represents the decrease in cases as they progress through the criminal justice system

En Banc

• French meaning "on the bench"
• All judges of an appellate court hear a case together, as opposed to a panel of three judges

Evidentiary Standard

• The legally required amount of evidence needed for a specific purpose in the criminal justice system

Flat Timed

• A prison term served in full without possibility of parole

Monetary Fine

• Punishment in the form of money paid to the government

Oral Argument

• Lawyers summarize their cases before the court and answer judges’ questions

Petition for a Writ of Certiorari

• A formal request to the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision

Pretrial Detention

• Detaining an accused person in jail before trial
• Because they did not post bail, or because they are a flight risk or pose a risk to the community

Probation Officer

• Conducts presentence investigations
• Prepares reports on convicted defendants
• Supervises released defendants

Restitution

• Money paid to the victim of a crime as part of the criminal sanction

Sentence

• The punishment given by the court to a convicted defendant

Sentencing Guidelines

• Rules and principles established by the U.S Sentencing Commission that judges use for sentencing

Trial

• A formal process where evidence is examined before a judge
• To determine if a defendant is guilty

United States Circuit Courts

• Historical name for the United States Courts of Appeal

United States Sentencing Commission

• The agency responsible for establishing sentencing policies and procedures in the federal court system

Appeal

• A request to a higher court to review a lower court's decision
• The party making the request is called the Appellant
• The Appellant usually aims to overturn the lower court's decision

Bail

• Temporary release of a person accused of a crime before trial
• Ensures accused person appears in court by setting specific conditions

Bench Warrant

• An arrest warrant issued by a judge, not through police action

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

• The legal standard of proof required for a criminal conviction
• The prosecution must convincingly demonstrate guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

Burden of Proof

• The party's responsibility to provide evidence supporting their claims

Criminal Justice Funnel

• An analogy showing that although many crimes occur, few result in prison sentences

En Banc

• A hearing where all judges of an appellate court participate
• This is the full court as opposed to the usual panels of three judges

Evidentiary Standard

• The amount of evidence needed to achieve a specific outcome in criminal justice

Flat Timed Sentence

• A prison term served in full without parole eligibility

Monetary Fine

• A financial penalty paid to the government as punishment for wrongdoing

Oral Argument

• Opportunity for lawyers to summarize their case before the court and answer the judges' questions

Petition for a Writ of Certiorari

• A formal request to the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision

Pretrial Detention

• Holding an accused person in jail before trial
• This occurs because they did not post bail or are considered a flight risk or community danger

Probation Officer

• Conducting presentence investigations
• Preparing reports on convicted defendants
• Supervising defendants who are released

Restitution

• Monetary payment made to the victim of a crime as part of the criminal sanction

Sentence

• Punishment imposed by a court for a convicted defendant

Sentencing Guidelines

• Rules and principles used by trial judges to determine sentences for convicted defendants

Trial

• Formal examination of evidence before a judge to determine guilt

United States Circuit Courts

• Former name for the United States Courts of Appeal

United States Sentencing Commission

• Agency responsible for establishing sentencing policies and procedures for the federal court system

Test your knowledge of key concepts in the criminal justice system, including appeal, bail, bench warrant, and beyond a reasonable doubt. This quiz covers essential terms that are fundamental in understanding legal proceedings and the justice process.