Section 1.5: The Criminal Justice Process (Continued)

Front 1

Appeal

Back 1

A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct.

Front 2

Appellant

Back 2

The party who appeals a lower court decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision.

Front 3

Bail

Back 3

The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditions designed to assure that person's appearance in court when required.

Front 4

Bench Warrant

Back 4

A type of arrest warrant issued by a judge on behalf of the court rather than through police action.

Front 5

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (BRD)

Back 5

The legal standard of proof required to secure a conviction in criminal court.

Front 6

Burden of Proof

Back 6

The duty to prove disputed facts.

Front 7

Criminal Justice Funnel

Back 7

An analogy demonstrating a wide entry point and a much, much smaller exit point representing many crimes and very few resulting prison sentences.

Front 8

En Banc

Back 8

French, meaning "on the bench." All judges of an appellate court sitting together to hear a case, as opposed to the routine disposition by panels of three judges.

Front 9

Evidentiary Standard

Back 9

The legally required amount of evidence necessary to achieve a particular criminal justice purpose.

Front 10

Flat Timed

Back 10

A prison term served in its entirety without benefit of parole.

Front 11

Monetary Fine

Back 11

Money paid to the government as punishment for wrongdoing.

Front 12

Oral Argument

Back 12

An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.

Front 13

Petition for a Writ of Certiorari

Back 13

A formal request made by a party to a lower court decision asking the Supreme Court to review the case.

Front 14

Pretrial Detention

Back 14

Detaining an accused person in jail prior to trial because they did not post bail, or because they are a flight risk or pose a risk to the community.

Front 15

Probation Officer

Back 15

Duties include conducting presentence investigations, preparing presentence reports on convicted defendants, and supervising released defendants.

Front 16

Restitution

Back 16

Money paid to the victim of a crime as part of a criminal sanction.

Front 17

Sentence

Back 17

The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.

Front 18

Sentencing Guidelines

Back 18

A set of rules and principles established by the United States Sentencing Commission that trial judges use to determine the sentence for a convicted defendant.

Front 19

Trial

Back 19

A formal examination of evidence before a judge in order to determine guilt.

Front 20

United States Circuit Courts

Back 20

An old name for the United States Courts of Appeal.

Front 21

United States Sentencing Commission

Back 21

The agency responsible for the establishment of sentencing policies and procedures for the federal court system.