A certification from the U.S. District Court clerk that a judgment of restitution was entered against the defendant owing to the victim. If the defendant inherits, owns, or sells real property or holdings, these assets can then be attached at the state and local levels as well.
Accessory
One who incites, aids, or abets a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime but is not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory before the fact. One who aids a criminal after the commission of a crime, but was not present at the time of the crime. Also called accessory after the fact.
Acquittal
A legal finding that the criminal defendant has not been proven guilty of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Action
Includes all court proceedings, adjudication, and denial or enforcement by the court.
Adjudication
The considered decision or sensible conclusion of the court.
Affidavit
A formal, written, notarized, statement of facts, with a specific format that has been sworn to and signed by a deponent.
Affirmed
Solemnly declare that certain statements are true: confirm a lower court’s decision on appeal.
Appeal
Ask the higher court to reverse the decision of a trial court after final judgment or other legal rulings.
Arraignment
Criminal proceeding where the defendant enters a plea.
Assault
An act which causes the victim to believe they are about to have physical harm. In Florida, assault a second-degree misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Florida Statute Title XLVI Chapter 784 § 011(1) reads “intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.”
Asset Forfeiture (or Attachment or Asset Seizure)
Confiscation of assets by the state. Typically applies to alleged proceeds or instruments of crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, AUSA
Prosecuting Attorney under the supervision of the Chief Federal Prosecutors (United States Attorneys)
A crime so serious that capital punishment is considered appropriate.
Capital Punishment
The penalty of death for the commission of a crime.
Case
Any proceeding, action, cause, or lawsuit initiated through the court system by filing a complaint, petition, information, or indictment.
Charge
A formal, written accusation that a person violated a law.
Civil Forfeiture
The loss of ownership of property used to conduct illegal activity.
Civil Lawyer
A lawyer who litigates relating to the rights of private individuals and legal proceedings concerning these rights as distinguished from criminal, military, or international regulations or proceedings.
Clerk of the Court
An officer of the court who is in charge of the court’s administrative work.
Complaint
A formal accusation to the court that a person violated a law.
Concealed Weapon, CCW
A concealed weapon. Dangerous weapons so carried on the person as to be knowingly or willfully concealed from sight, This practice is forbidden by statute.
Continuance
A postponement, for good cause, of a scheduled court event.
Contraband
Prohibited or excluded by law or treaty; forbidden; as, contraband goods, or trade.
Conviction
A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.
Criminal Lawyer
A lawyer that deals with crimes and their punishments.
The monetary compensation recovered in the courts by a person who has suffered a loss to his or her person, property, or rights through the unlawful act or negligence of another.
Defendant
A person formally accused of violating a law.
Defense Attorney
A lawyer who legally represents the interests of a defendant.
Deponent
Someone who testifies in writing: party making an affidavit.
Deposition
An oral statement made by a person before an officer authorized by the court to administer oaths.
Dismissal
The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing.
Disorderly Conduct
An offense involving disturbance of the public peace and decency.
Docket
A list of cases on the court’s calendar.
Drunk Driving, D.U.I., DWI
Driving under the influence (of drugs or alcohol).
The fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else. Larceny denotes a taking, by fraud or stealth, from another’s possession; embezzlement denotes an appropriation, by fraud or stealth, of property already in the wrong doer’s possession.
Entrapment
A method of catching in a trap. To lure into performing a previously or otherwise un-contemplated illegal act.
Evidence
The documentary or oral statements and the material objects admissible as testimony in a court of law.
Extradition
The formal process of delivering an accused or convicted person from authorities in one state to authorities in another state.
A panel of citizens who hear evidence collected by the prosecutor or his or her agent and then decide whether the evidence is sufficient to believe that a defendant violated a certain law and that the defendant should be formally charged.
Guilty
The decision of the court or jury in a criminal trial when the evidence shows “beyond a reasonable doubt” the defendant committed the crime.
The defendant’s answer (guilty or not guilty) in response to an alleged charge.
Plea Agreement
An arrangement where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. Also called a Plea Bargain.
Pre-Sentence Investigation Report
A formal, written report prepared by the Probation Department. It is always presented before the sentencing hearing. This report provides the judge with information about the defendant and the victim. The information includes the defendant’s background and the conviction. And it provides information about the emotional, financial, or physical impact the crime had on the victim.
Pretrial Conference
An informal meeting between the prosecutor and the defense attorney to clarify issues and, where applicable, to attempt to work out a settlement before any further court filings and proceedings.
Pretrial Interview
An informal discussion, before the trial, between the prosecutor or the defense attorney and witnesses to discuss their knowledge of the crime.
Probable Cause
A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
Probation
A period of supervision by the court and a probation officer that allows the defendant to live in a community.
Probation Officer, P.O.
An officer who ensures that the defendant obeys all conditions of probation.
The length and conditions of punishment ordered by the court if the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty.
Statute of Limitations
The specified period during which a civil action or criminal charge can be made.
Subpoena
A written command for a person to appear at a certain place and time to give evidence in court about a crime or other legal matter. Also called a summons.
Summons
Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
The place where the trial will be held (normally in the district in which the offense was committed).
Victim
A person who has physically, financially, or emotionally suffered from the commission of a crime by another.
Victim Impact Statement
A written or spoken statement supplied by the victim or representative to the court before sentencing. It details the physical, emotional, and financial impact of the crime on that victim.
Victim/Witness Coordinator
A person who provides information about the justice process to victims and witnesses of crime.
