Accessory Accomplice Acquittal Accusation Administrative Hearing Affidavit Age of Consent Appeals Arbitration Arrest Warrant Arson Assault Bail Bond Bailiff Bank Robbery Battery Bench Trial Bench Warrant Blood alcohol content (BAC) Burden of Proof Breathalyzer Bribery Capital Offense Carjacking Carrying a Concealed Weapon Case Law Child Abuse Child [..]

An accessory to a crime is any individual who knowingly and voluntarily participates in the commission of a crime. An accessory is not typically present at the scene of the crime, but contributes to the success of the crime before or after the fact. A person charged as an accessory to a crime before the fact is one who incites, abets, or aids a per [..]

An accomplice is an individual who participates in the commission of a crime knowingly, willingly, and with common interest. An accomplice is one who intentionally aids in the commission of a crime whether or not they physically commit the act itself. An accomplice can be charged with the same crime as the principle actor who carries out the offens [..]

Acquittal occurs in a criminal trial when the jury finds the defendant not guilty. Most often acquittals are due to insufficient evidence and may be issued before or during trial. After an acquittal, the trial is over and the prosecutor cannot appeal the decision under constitutional law.An acquittal may be handed down by either the jury or the tri [..]

An accusation is the formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a defendant in a criminal case. The sixth Amendment of the US Constitution states that the defendant in a criminal case, “has the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation,” made against him/her.  The defendant in a criminal case is guaranteed the right to know wh [..]

An administrative hearing provides professional, independent, and timely “due process” hearings on behalf of state and local government agencies.  One of the most common types of administrative hearing is the DMV (department of motor vehicles) hearing after one is charged with a DUI or DWI offense.  This administrative hearing is separate from the [..]

An affidavit is a formal written statement declaring truth of the facts in question. Within the criminal justice system, there are three ways to ensure that people are telling the truth. An oath is a declaration to god that a statement is true, while an affirmation is a similar declaration without the reference to god. The third method of ensuring [..]

Age of consent is the legal term referring to the age at which a person can enter a contact or an agreement.  The age of consent also refers to the age at which a person is considered able to legally consent to sexual activities.  Prior to the age of consent, an individual cannot legally engage in sexual activity with anyone.  The law states that a [..]

Appeals are the process through which a defendant in a criminal case asks the higher court to modify or reverse the decision of a lower court. After a defendant has been convicted of a crime and sentenced they may seek criminal appeals based on valid legal grounds. If a defendant wishes to contest some outcome of their original case, they will typi [..]

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution that allows two parties to settle some civil dispute without going to court. Arbitration is like a trial except that it is less formal and there is no jury. Arbitration can be used to settle legal cases that are civil in nature; they cannot be used to settle criminal cases. During arbitration [..]