Word/Term

Definition

2241

Statute governing federal habeas corpus post conviction court procedures

2244

Statute governing federal habeas corpus post conviction court procedures

2254

Statute governing federal habeas corpus post conviction court procedures

2255

Statute governing federal habeas corpus post conviction court procedures

23.110 motion

Statute governing District of Columbia post conviction court procedures

3582 Motions

Statute governing the procedures for modifying a sentence

440 Motion

Statute governing State of New York post conviction court procedures

4^th Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5^th Amendment

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

6^thAmendment

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

8^th Amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

924 ( C )

Federal statute that requires an increase in the severity of the punishment due to the use of a weapon

back to top

"A"

Abet

Encourage or assist to do something wrong

Abuse of Trust

Misuse of the public confidence

Acceptance

Admitting to having committed a crime

Accomplice

An individual that assists in committing a crime

Accused

Individual charged with a crime

Acquittal

When a jury finds an individual not guilty of crimes accused of

Administration

The organization and running of a business or system

Administrative

Remedies available to defendants to address issues concerning the conditions of their confinement.

Advocate

Individual who speaks in defense of an idea

Affidavit

A written statement made of taken under oath before an officer of the court or notary public

Affirm

To agree with the judgment of a previous court

Agent

An individual who works for a government agency

Aid

Help or Support

Alien

An individual who has citizenship in another country and resides in the United States

Amend

To make modifications to a document or proposal

Amount of Drugs

Quantity of illegal narcotics

Analysis

Detail Examination of the elements or structure

Anti-Terrorism Act

Law passed by the U.S. Government to grant law enforcement more powers to investigate terrorist and criminal activity

Appeal

Resort to a superior court to review the decision of an inferior court or administrative agency.

Appellate

Pertaining to or having cognizance of appeals and other proceedings for the judicial review of adjudications. Distinction between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction.

Apprehend

Seize or arrest an individual in the course of unlawful or wrongful action

Apprendi

Court decision in regards to sentencing guidelines and their application to sentencing

Argument Development

The creation of a set of reason given in support of an idea or position

Armed

Involving a firearm

Arson

Deliberately setting fire to property

Assistant

An individual who helps in particular work

Asylum

Protection given to an individual by a state to a political refugee

Attorney Assistance

An individual appointed to act for another in legal matters

Attorney Client Privilege

A clients privilege to correspond and communicate with his or her counsel in privacy

Attorneys

Individuals appointed to act for another in legal matters

Audita Querela

The name of a common law writ constituting the initial process in an action brought by a judgment defendant to obtain relief against the consequences of the judgment on account of some matter of defense or discharge arising since its rendition and which could not be taken advantage of otherwise. May also lie for matters arising before judgment where defendant had no opportunity to raise such matters in defense.

This writ has been abolished in most states that have adopted Rules of Civil Procedure, being supplanted by motion for relief from judgment . Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b).

back to top

"B"

Back Ground Checks

Reviewing the historical past of an individual usually involving criminal records

Bail

Temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes requiring an amount of money to assure the defendant will appear

Bar

Organization governing attorney behavior and ethics, an exam for attorneys to practice law

Blakely

Case decided by the supreme court in reference to sentencing of individuals found guilty of crimes

Blakely vs. Washington

Case decided by the supreme court in reference to sentencing of individuals found guilty of crimes

Bond

A written promise to pay money or do some act if certain things happen

Booker

Decision by the court in reference to the use of the sentencing guidelines

Boot Camp

Alternative sentencing a program for non violent offenders

Bootcamp Program

Alternative sentencing a program for non violent offenders

Breaking and Entering

Force able access and going into a building or dwelling

Brief

Summary of facts in a case to be argued in court

Bureau of Prisons ( BOP)

Agency with the responsibility of housing individuals convicted of a crime

Business Law

Rules governing the practice of operating a business

back to top

"C"

Campaign

Organized activities to achieve a goal

Career Offenders

Individual who has committed several offenses over the course of his/her life

Case Cites

Identification of cases used to support an argument

Case Law

Applicable law that has been decided by previous cases

Charge

Accuse someone of an offense under the law

Charge to the Jury

Accusations posed to a group of people rendering a decision in a criminal case

Citation

A location where information can be found

Citizen

A legally recognized individual of a state or commonwealth

CJA assistance

Court Appointed Legal Assistance/ paid for by the government

Claim

To state with out being able to give proof

Classification

A category that things are placed in

Clemency

The power of a President or Governor to release a prison of his sentence

Co-Counsel

Assistant Attorney to lead counsel

Cocaine

An drug made from the cocoa plant or can be made in a laboratory

Cocaine Base

Cocaine= and >cocaine base= carry the same chemical meaning (the word "base" merely refers to the fact that cocaine is a base)

Commerce Clause

A statement in the constitution which grants the federal government the power to regulate interstate commerce

Commonwealth

A group that maintains local authority but is united to a larger governing body

Community Treatment Center Placement

Placing a prisoner in a facility that is located outside of the prison facility where he or she may receive help in over coming a substance abuse problem or psychological problem

Compact Transfers

The movement of prisoners under the care of the department of corrections of a state to another state based on the agreements or contracts between the states

Confinement

Restricting within the boundaries of a given location

Confinement Conditions

Rules in regards to restricting a persons ability to move about

Consent

Permission

Conspiracy

A plan by a group of individuals to take action

Conspiracy Defense

The act of arguing against the involvement in a group accused of committing an act

Constitutional Law

Rules clearly stated in the Constitution of the United States

Continuing Criminal Enterprise

A ongoing systematic organization of breaking laws

Conviction Time Limits

Statutory Imposed limits on the term of confinement

Cooperation

Working Agreement and Providing assistance to government investigations into ongoing or future criminal activity

Correction

A change that rectifies an error or inaccuracy.

Court Appointed Counsel

An attorney that is assigned by the government to represent a defendant

Court Decisions

Ruling made by a body of people whom judicial cases are heard

Court

A body of people before whom judicial cases are heard

Court=s Failure to make Findings

When a body of people before whom judicial cases are heard is not able to decide a disagreement

Crack Cocaine

Drug deriving from cocaine base

Credit for Time Served

Time a defendant is held until sentenced can be credited into the sentence

Criminal

An individual who violates a criminal code

Criminal Law

Laws governing the conduct of individuals in a society

Criminal Victories

Successful Cases

Criminal Conspiracy

One of more individuals who work together in an effort to break the law

Criminal Cases

Court actions taken involving activity that violates the law

Cross Examination

Examination of a witness in which questions are with in the scope of the direct examination information

back to top

"D"

Defendant

Individual accused of breaking a law

Departure - Primary Caretaker

This is a reason for the judge to disregard the suggestion of the sentencing guidelines because an individual is the sole provider to another individual

Deportation

Delivering a person out of the country in view of a crime usually to their home country

Deputy

An individual who takes over responsibility for a superior when he or she is not present

Detainer

The act of withholding from a person lawfully entitled the possession of land or goods, or restraint of a man=s personal liberty against his will; detention.

Direct Examination

The first interrogation or examination of a witness, on the merits, by the party on whose behalf he is called. The first examination of a witness upon a matter that is no within the scope of a previous examination of the witness.

Discrimination

The act of treating different people by different rules

Dismissed counts

Charges that are removed from an indictment

Distribute

The act of making something available

DNA

Biochemistry deoxyribonucleic acid, a substance which is present in the cell nuclei of nearly all living organisms and is the carrier of genetic information.

Domain

An area controlled by a ruler or government

Double Jeopardy

Being tried twice for the same set of facts

Downward Departures

Reasons for the judge to reduce the sentencing guidelines and sentence an individual to a lesser sentence

Drug conspiracy

A group of individuals who work together in the involvement of narcotics

Enforcement of a plea agreement

Asking the court for specific performance of a plea agreement

Drug Program

Alternative Sentencing program for drug abusers

Duress

Threats or violence used to coerce a person into doing something: confessions extracted under duress.

back to top

"E"

Eminent Domain

The power to take private property for public use by the state, municipalities and private persons or corporations authorized to exercise functions of public character, discussed in the 5^th Amendment of the Consitution.

Endangering

Put in harms way

Enhancement

A qualification for a sentence to be increased

Entrapment

Threats or violence used to coerce a person into doing something: confessions extracted under duress.

Erroneous Information

False or Inaccurate data

Estates

A person's money and property in its entirety at the time of their death.

Evidence

Law information used to establish facts in a legal investigation or admissible as testimony in a law court

Expert Witnesses

A proven professional in a particular field

Expert Testimony

Information provided by an expert witness

back to top

"F"

Family Law

Law involving domestic relations issues

Fanfan

Companion case to Booker

Federal Bootcamp

Alternative sentencing program for non violent offenders

Federal Case

Court proceeding falling in the jurisdiction of the national government

Federal Appeals Court

Court whose responsibility is to over see actions taken in cases where jurisdiction falls under federal law

Financial

The management of large amounts of money, especially by governments or large companies.

Findlaw

Web site used to locate information involving legal proceedings.

Firms

Business that provide services usually in the legal field

Foreign

Of, from, in, or characteristic of a country or language other than one's own.

Forensic

Relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods to the investigation of crime

Forensic Evidence

Scientific proof that a crime was committed and who committed the crime

Forfeiture

To lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing.

Fraud

Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

Government

The system by which a state or community is regulated.

Grand Jury

 A jury selected to examine the validity of an accusation prior to trial.

back to top

"G"

Gross Sexual Imposition

Inappropriate sexual behavior against victims will

Guideline Revisions

Changes made to the sentencing guidelines

Guideline Range

Length of the recommended sentence based on criminal history and crime committed

Guideline Amendments

Additional changes made to sentencing guidelines

back to top

"H"

Habeas Corpus

A writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge, to investigate the lawfulness of their detention.

Halfway House

Alternate Sentencing Program to Rehabilitate a Defendant with out having to be in a prison to serve their sentence

Healthcare Fraud

The act of using false information to obtain payment for medical services

Heroin

A highly addictive painkilling drug derived from morphine, often used illicitly as a narcotic.

HIV Cases

Actions involving individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Home Country 

The country in which a person was born

Homicide

The unlawful taking of one persons life by another person with malice of afore thought.

House Arrest

Detention that is served with in the confinement of a residence.

back to top

"I"

Illegal Search and Seizure

The unlawful entry, investigation, and taking of property and evidence without following the appropriate process.

Immigration

Come to live in a new country.

Imposition

An impost; tax; contribution. Unreasonable request or burden.

Indictment

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

A claim that counsel failed to represent his client to a professional standard

INS - Detainer as a Basis for Downward Departure

A way to permit the court to depart from normal sentencing guidelines for an alien defendant.

Institution

An important organization or public body, such as a university, bank, hospital, or Church.

Insurance

A thing providing protection against a possible eventuality.

Intent

Intention or purpose

Inter-Institutional

With in an important organization or public body

International Treaty Transfers

The process whereby a defendant can be transferred back to his home country.

Interstate Commerce

The trade of goods and services between states.

Investigator

One who carries out a systematic or formal inquiry into (an incident or allegation) so as to establish the truth.

back to top

"J"

Jencks Act

A criminal defendant in a Federal Court is entitled to access to government documents for assistance in cross-examination of witnesses I order to impeach for prior inconsistent statements

Judge

A public officer appointed to decide cases in a law court

Judgment

A sense of knowledge sufficient to comprehend nature of transaction. An opinion or estimate. The formation of an opinion or notion concerning some thing by exercising the mind upon it.

Judicial Circuits

A term referring to the subdivisions of Judicial Districts

Judicial System

Entire network of courts in a particular jurisdiction. The federal judicial system consists of the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeals, District Courts and Specialized courts such as the Claims Court; Bankruptcy Courts, etc.

Jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgements.

Juror

A member of a jury

Jury Selection

The process of picking a panel of individuals to hear and decide facts in a case.

Jury

A body of people (typically twelve) sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted in court.

Jury Instruction

The procedures given to a jury in deciding a verdict

Jury Research

The act of researching the individuals who make up a jury in a case.

back to top

"K"

Kidnapping

Abduct and hold (someone) captive, typically to obtain a ransom.

back to top

"L"

Law Firms

A group of attorneys that join together for either business or financial reasons to provide legal services to the public.

Law Client

An individual who is being represented by a member of the Bar Association

Law

A rule or system of rules recognized by a country or community as regulating the actions of its members and enforced by the imposition of penalties.

Lawyer/Lawyers

An Individual or individuals who practices or studies the law.

Lead Counsel

An attorney that is responsible for the representation of a client.

Leader

An individual who get other individuals to go along with a act or serious of acts.

Legal Community

A group of individuals who work with and around the law

Legal Ethics

Ethical guidelines that govern attorneys

Legal Dictionary

A book containing words and definitions regarding words and phrases associated with the law and practice of the law.

Legal Resources

A group of materials or assets that can be accused in order to function in the practice or study of the law.

Legal News

Current events and new information published in regards to the law.

Legal Research

The act of investigating information in regards to the law.

Legal

Conforming to the law; according to law; required or permitted by law; not forbidden or discountenanced by law; good and effectual in law; of or pertaining to the law; lawful.

Liability

A person or thing likely to cause one embarrassment or put one at a disadvantage.

Life Sentence

Confinement until and individual expires.

Litigation

Disagreement that is argued and decided by a judge in a court room.

Local Government

He administration of a particular county or district, with representatives elected by those who live there.

Local Rules

Rules that govern a local court

LSD

A synthetic crystalline compound, lysergic acid diethylamide, which is a powerful hallucinogenic drug

back to top

"M"

Malicious Prosecution by Government

Inappropriate charges brought by the government that are no based on due process

Mandatory Life Sentence

A sentence of confinement until and individual expires that is mandatory for a crime

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing

Sentence that is stipulated as the minimum allowable by law for a crime

Marijuana Cases

Case involving the plant known as Cannabis Sativa

Medical Malpractice

Error committed by a physician that is so egregious as to result in legal action

Mercy

Compassion or forgiveness shown towards an enemy or offender in one's power.

Meth Lab

Location or vehicle used to as a site to produce Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine

Drug derived from pseudoephedrine

Mind Control

The process of manipulating and individuals thoughts and actions.

Minor Role

Taking a small part of an act or conspiracy

Minority

The smaller number or part; a number or part representing less than half of the whole.

Misconduct

Unacceptable or improper behavior.

Mitigation

(of a fact or circumstance) lessening the gravity or culpability of an action.

Molestation

Pester or harass in a hostile way.

Monitoring

The act of observing the actions and behaviors of another.

Motion

Document filed with the court requesting that the court take certain action in a case

Municipal Court

Court located in a Municipality

Murder

The act of one person taking the life of another with malice of afore thought.

back to top

"N"

National Legal Professional Associates

A legal research and consulting firm

New Trial

Action that occurs when an appellate court decided that an error was made at the original trial that was so egregious as to violate and individuals rights

New Evidence

Information or objects discovered after a case has been tried

New Judge for Re-sentencing

The appointment of a new judge for the sentencing phase of litigation

NLPA

Another term for National Legal Professional Associates

back to top

"O"

Offense Level

The rating given to particular crimes on the Sentencing Guidelines chart

Order

Decision made by a judge

Organizer

An individual who sets up and manages an activity

Outrageous Government Conduct

Inappropriate illegal conduct by a prosecutor

Overturned Conviction

When an appeals court reverses a trial courts verdict

back to top

"P"

Pacer

Web site that allows individual to view federal case dockets

Panel Attorney

Attorney who is appointed under the Criminal Justice Act

Para-Legal

Individual who works with attorneys in the preparation of documents in regards to the practice of law

Pardon

The action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offense.

Parole Violation

Committing and act that goes against the conditions of an individuals release from prison.

Parole Issues

Reason brought before Parole Board as to why a Defendant should be released on Parole

Parole

The temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior.

Patent

A government license giving an individual or body the sole right to make, use, or sell an invention for a set period.

Patriot Act

A piece of legislation passed by congress to grant law enforcement greater powers in investigating terror related criminal activity.

Peer

A person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person.

Penitentiary

A prison for people convicted of serious crimes.

Personal Injury

Practice of law involving the harming of individuals by other individuals or groups

Petition

A formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority concerning a cause.

Physical Evidence

Any object that was involved in the crime and is tangible

Plain View

Incident in which officers can see evidence of a crime with the visible eye

Plea Negotiation

A discussion in which two parties try to reach an agreement

Plea Agreement

An agreement where an individual and the government enter into an agreement to have the defendant plead guilty

Plea Agreement - Violation of

To break the rules of the agreement made in regards to a guilty plea.

Plea Agreement - Use of Dismissed Counts

The act of using dismissed counts in regards to a guilty plea.

Possession

To have as property; own.

Post Conviction

Action take after a jury=s verdict of guilty

Post Conviction Motion

Remedy filed with a court in an effort to correct a wrong sentence.

Pre - Trial

The period preceding a trial when motions are filed by counsel with the court.

Pre Trial Motion

Pleading filed before the start of a trial requesting that the court take certain action.

Pre-sentence Investigation Report

Document prepared by probation department containing information in regards to the defendant and the crime the defendant was found guilty of that is produced to the court in an effort to determine a punishment.

Prejudice

Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or experience.

Premeditated

Thought of beforehand, for any length of time, however short.

Preponderance

Evidence which as a whole shows that the fact sought to be proved is mor probable than not.

Primary Caretaker

Individual who is responsible for the well being of another.

Private Investigators

An individual that is not an employee of the government hired to research a certain set of facts.

Pro Bono

Denoting legal work undertaken without charge.

Probable Cause

Having more evidence for than against

Probation Office

Location where issues of supervised release are administered.

Probation

The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision. 

Proffer

Offer of cooperative assistance

Property

A thing or things belonging to someone.

Prosecutor

A public official, who prosecutes someone for the commission of a criminal offense.

PSI

see Pre-Sentence Investigation Report

PSI - Erroneous Information

Information included in the Pre-Sentence Investigation Report that is not accurate

Public

Of, concerning, or available to the people as a whole.

Punishment

 The action of punishing or the state of being punished.

back to top

"Q"

Questionnaire

A set of printed questions, usually with a choice of answers, devised for the selection of a jury.

back to top

"R"

Racial Profiling

The use of information based on the ethnic background of an individual to prosecute or investigate.

Racism

The belief that there are negative characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to certain races.

Rape

Forcing another person to have sexual intercourse against their will.

Ratify

Give formal consent to; make officially valid.

Reasonable Doubt

Circumstances sufficiently strong enough to lead a reasonable man to believe a defendant is innocent.

Reckless

Without thought or care for the consequences of an action.

Recuse

To ask a judge to step aside and remove himself from a case

Referral Service

The act of referring an attorney to a defendant

Rehabilitation

Restore to health or normal life by training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness.

Relevant Conduct

Actions closely connected or appropriate to the matter in hand.

Remand

Place (a defendant) on bail or in custody, especially when a trial is adjourned.

Remedy

A medicine or treatment for a disease or injury.

Remorse

Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

Representation

The action or an instance of speaking or appearing on someone's behalf.

Reprimand

A formal expression of disapproval; a rebuke.

Research Attorneys

Attorneys who perform research into case law and statutes

Research Drafting

The preparation of materials pertaining to the research that has been done

Re-sentencing

This is an act by the court in which a person=s sentence is found to violate a provision of the law and is sent back to the trial court to be sentenced again.

Responsibility

 A thing which one is required to do as part of a job, role, or legal obligation.

Reverse Sting Operations

An undercover operation conducted by the government usually with under cover agents posing as a member of the crime in hopes of setting up an individual and gain an arrest.  

RICO

Statute governing on going criminal enterprises.

Rights

Freedoms granted to American citizens by the constitution of the United States

Robbery

The action of taking things that do not belong to you or with out paying for things that belong to another person or place.

Rule 32 Violation

Violation of defendant=s sentencing rights

Rule 35 (a) Motion

Motion to correct illegal sentence

Rule 35 (b) Motion

Motion to reduce sentence due to substantial assistance.

back to top

"S"

Safety Valve

 A valve that opens automatically to relieve excessive pressure.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing a police officer or other official to enter and search premises.

Search

Try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.

Seizure

The action of taking objects or items in to one=s possession.

Sentence Reduction

Reason for an individual to have their term of incarceration reduced.

Sentencing

The part of a criminal proceeding in which an individual convicted of a crime is given their punishment.

Sentencing Guidelines

A system for determining a punishment for an individual who has been convicted of a crime.

Sentencing Entrapment

Actions by government agent to induce a defendant to commit a crime not contemplated by him that raises his sentence.

Sexual Misconduct

Inappropriate or illegal actions involving intimate physical contact or gesture. 

Small Claims Court

A local court in which claims for small sums of money can be heard and decided quickly and cheaply, without legal representation.

Solitary Confinement

The isolation of a prisoner in a separate cell as a punishment.

Spanish Speaking Defendants

An individual who is accused of committing a crime that speaks Spanish.

Speedy Trial

A Trial that the prosecution, with reasonable diligence, begins promptly and conducts expeditiously. The Sixth Amendment secures the right to a speedy trial.

State Law

A body of law in a particular state consisting of the states=s constitution, statutes, regulations, and common law.

State Supreme Court

The highest court in the judicial branch of state government.

State Appeals Court

A state court with jurisdiction to review decisions of lower courts or administrative agencies.

Statute

A written law passed by a legislative body.

Statutory Limit

A limit placed by the legislative body

Strategy

A plan designed to achieve a particular long‑term aim.

Structuring

Relating to or forming part of a structure.

Superceding Indictment

A new indictment that it based on the original indictment charged in a particular case. A superceding indictment usually contains some additions to the original indictment, such as adding new offenses or new defendants.

Supervised Release

A condition of a sentence in which an individual is released from confinement but must report to an individual such as a probation officer.

Supreme Court

The highest judicial court in a country or state.

Surveillance

Close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.

back to top

"T"

Tax

A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on personal income and business profits or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.

Testimony

A formal statement, especially one given in a court of law.

Theft

The action or crime of stealing.

Therapy

Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.

Time - Bar

A bar to a legal claim arising from the lapse of a defined length of time, esp. one contained in a statute of limitations.

Time Limit

A point at which action can longer be taken.

Transaction

An instance of buying or selling.

Transcript

A written or printed version of material originally presented in another medium.

Transfer

Move from one place to another.

Traverse

Travel or extend across or through.

Treatises

A written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject.

Treatment

The process or manner of treating someone or something.

Treaty Transfer

An agreement between countries regarding the movement of an individual in the custody of the Federal or State Government.

Trial Court

A court of original jurisdiction where the evidence is first received and considered.

Trial

A formal examination of evidence in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.

Trusts

Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

back to top

"U"

Undercover

Involving secret work for investigation or espionage.

Undercover Drug Transactions

Transactions that occur with law enforcement officials or informants working for law enforcement that do not identify themselves as working for law enforcement.

Unlawful

Not conforming to or permitted by law or rules.

Upward Departures

Reasons for an individual convicted of a crime to have a sentence imposed over the recommended maximum by the sentencing guidelines.

Urban Work Release

When an individual is released from the custody of the department of corrections or bureau of prisons to do a job in the area.

back to top

"V"

Vandalism

The act of deliberately destroying or damaging property.

Verdict

A decision on an issue of fact in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.

Violation

Break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement)

Violation of Parole

When an individual breaks any of the conditions of his parole.

Visa

An endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.

Voir Dire

The selection of members of a jury.

back to top

"W"

Warden

 A person responsible for the supervision of a particular place or procedure.

Weapon

A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.

White Collar Crime

A nonviolent crime usually involving cheating or dishonesty in commercial matters, examples would include fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and insider trading.

Wills

A legal document containing instructions for the disposition of one's money and property after one's death.

Wiretap

The practice of tapping a telephone line to monitor conversations secretly.

Witness

A person who sees an event take place.

Witness Preparation

The act of getting a witness ready to testify

Work Release

Release from custody to do a job

Wounding

A bodily injury caused by a cut, blow, or other impact.

Writ of Error Coram Nobis

A writ of error directed to a court for review of its own judgment and predicated on alleged errors of fact.

Writing

The activity or skill of writing.

back to top

"Z"

Zoning

The legislative division of a region, esp. a municipality, into separate districts with different regulations within the districts for land use, building size, and the like.