Full Answer
criminal lawyer. noun. : a lawyer who specializes in criminal law especially : a lawyer who represents defendants in criminal cases.
Someone who helps another person (known as the principal) commit a crime. Unlike an accessory, an accomplice is usually present when the crime is committed. An accomplice is guilty of the same offense and usually receives the same sentence as the principal.
case law - The use of court decisions to determine how other law (such as statutes) should apply in a given situation. For example, a trial court may use a prior decision from the Supreme Court that has similar issues. chambers - A judge's office. charge - The law that the police believe the defendant has broken.
As it is used in federal criminal cases, "the government" refers to the lawyers of the U.S. Attorney's office who are prosecuting the case. Grand jury proceedings are closed to the public, and the person suspected of having committed the crime is not entitled to be present or have an attorney present.
Prosecutor: Also called the state's attorney. Represents the state in a criminal case against a defendant.
Defense Attorney: the lawyer who represents the defendant in legal proceedings. Victims are usually not required to speak with defense attorneys except in court, but may do so if they choose.
A government attorney is an attorney that works in the different branches of the government. Depending on where they work, government attorneys handle a range of legal issues that affect the city, the state, or the federal government.
A prosecutor acts as a legal representative of a victim of a crime. Prosecutors research and present the case in a criminal trial in an effort of punishing the individual accused of committing the crime.
In a criminal trial, a defendant is a person accused (charged) of committing an offense (a crime; an act defined as punishable under criminal law). The other party to a criminal trial is usually a public prosecutor, but in some jurisdictions, private prosecutions are allowed.
The party who appeals a lower court's decision in a higher court. The appellant seeks reversal or modification of the decision. By contrast, the appellee is the party against whom the appeal is filed.
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What is another word for public defender?attorneylawyernotarydefenderpublic prosecutorprocuratorproctorprofessional pleaderjuristtrial lawyer34 more rows
What are the two main types of lawyers? There are two main types of lawyers in criminal law are attorney and prosecutor.
In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.
advocate, attorney, attorney-at-law, counsel, counselor.
Fiscal lawyers, sometimes called procurement lawyers, are responsible for defending or prosecuting those accused of breaking spending rules.
The plaintiff initially decides where to bring the suit, but in some cases, the defendant can seek to change the court. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases. A federal court in one state, for example, can usually only decide a case that arose from actions in that state.
bail - Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons. plaintiff - The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit. plea - In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges in open court.
To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal.". Both the plaintiff and the defendant can appeal, and the party doing so is called the appellant. Appeals can be made for a variety of reasons including improper procedure and asking the court to change its interpretation of the law.
appellate - About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of another lower court or tribunal. arraignment - A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
charge to the jury - The judge's instructions to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case on trial. chief judge - The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court. The chief judge also decides cases, and the choice of chief judges is determined by seniority.
capital offense - A crime punishable by death. In the federal system, it applies to crimes such as first degree murder, genocide, and treason. case law - The use of court decisions to determine how other law (such as statutes) should apply in a given situation.
Accused. A person or persons formally charged but not yet tried for a crime. Acquittal. A legal judgment, based on the decision to either a jury or a judge, that an accused is not guilty of the crime for which he or she has been charged or tried. Admissible Evidence.
Brief. A written argument by counsel arguing a case, which contains a summary of the facts of the case, pertinent laws, and an argument of how the law applies to the fact situation. Also called a memorandum of law. Cause of Action. One or more related charges combined and made against a defendant for wrongs committed.
Bail / Bond. The money or property given to the court as security when an accused person is released before and during a trial with the agreement that the defendant will return to court when ordered to do so. Bail is forfeited if the defendant fails to return to court. Bench Trial.
Felony. A felony is a serious criminal offense, usually punishable by a prison term or, in some cases, by death. Felonies are considered more severe than misdemeanors. Murder, extortion and kidnapping are some examples of felonies. Felonies are classified as 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree or capital felonies.
Admission. Confession of a charge, an error, or a crime; acknowledgment. Aggravated Assault. An attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causing such injury, or an attempt to cause or purposely or knowingly cause bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.
Grand Jury. A body of persons with the authority to investigate and accuse, but not to try cases. The grand jury will listen to and review evidence to see if it there are sufficient grounds to bring an individual to trial. Hearing. This is a legal proceeding (not a trial) held before a judge or administrative body.
Declaration under Penalty of Perjury. A signed statement, sworn to be true by the signer, that will make the signer guilty of the crime of perjury if the statement is shown to be materially false — meaning, the lie is relevant and significant to the case. Deferred Sentence.
The party who appeals a district court's decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision. Appellate. About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of a lower court (trial court) or tribunal. For example, the U.S. circuit courts of appeals review the decisions of the U.S. district courts. Appellee.
The party who opposes an appellant's appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the district court's decision. Arraignment. A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
Bankruptcy code. The informal name for title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1330), the federal bankruptcy law. Bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy judges in regular active service in each district; a unit of the district court. Bankruptcy estate.
Acquittal. A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction. Active judge. A judge in the full-time service of the court. Compare to senior judge.
Admissible. A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases. Adversary proceeding. A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that begins by filing a complaint with the court, that is, a "trial" that takes place within the context of a bankruptcy case.
Equitable. Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law.". In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy (see damages). A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something (e.g., injunction).
A lawsuit in which one or more members of a large group, or class, of individuals or other entities sue on behalf of the entire class. The district court must find that the claims of the class members contain questions of law or fact in common before the lawsuit can proceed as a class action. Clerk of court.