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Ch. 4 vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Crime | punishable offense against society. |
Vicarious criminal liability | substituted criminal liability |
Felony | Crime punishable by confinement for more than a year of a fine of more than $1000. |
Misdemeanor | crime punishable by confinement for a year or less or a fine of $1000 or less |
White collar crimes | crimes that do not involve force or violence and do not cause physical injury or damage |
Probable cause | A reasonable ground for belief |
Defense | a legal position taken by the defendant |
Procedural defenses | based on problems on with the way evidence was obtained or the way an accused person is arrested. |
Substantive defenses | Legal position that disproves, justifies or excuses an alleged criminal act. |
self-defense | use of force that appears to be reasonably necessary to the victim to prevent death, serious bodily harm, rape, or kidnapping. |
Immunity | freedom from prosecution even when one has committed the crime charged. |
Contempt of court | action that hinders the administration of justice. |
Punishment | any penalty provided by law and imposed by a court. |
Plea bargain | agreement with prosecutor that allows the defendant to plead guilty to a less serious crime in exchange for having a more serious charged dropped. |
Indictment | written accusation declaring that there is sufficient evidence to try the identified individual for a specified crime. |
Arraignment | court in a proceeding during which the formal charges in the indictment are read |
Preliminary hearing | court proceeding at which the evidence against the defendant will be presented to the court. |
Bail | sum of money or property pledged to guarantee that the arrested person will appear for a preliminary hearing. |
Subpoena | Written court order compelling an individual to appear and testify or produce evidence |
voir dire | preliminary exam of the potential jurors to determine their ability to judge ably and impartially |
verdict | jurys decision in a case |