{"id":880,"date":"2018-03-12T19:31:02","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T19:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/?p=880"},"modified":"2018-03-20T16:30:08","modified_gmt":"2018-03-20T16:30:08","slug":"need-to-know-courtroom-terms-and-definitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/need-to-know-courtroom-terms-and-definitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Need-to-Know Courtroom Terms and Definitions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you are facing a court trial for criminal charges, it is helpful to know some common terms and definitions that will likely be used to adjudicate your case. This knowledge will allow you to comprehend the proceedings of the trial and better understand the circumstances of your sentencing and subsequent penalties. <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Continue reading to get started right now!<\/font><\/h1>\n<div id=\"attachment_881\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-881\" src=\"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Indianapolis-Criminal-Defense-5-e1520882868140.jpg\" alt=\"Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514\" width=\"600\" height=\"348\" class=\"size-full wp-image-881\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Indianapolis-Criminal-Defense-5-e1520882868140.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Indianapolis-Criminal-Defense-5-e1520882868140-300x174.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-881\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Indianapolis Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514<\/p><\/div>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Arraignment<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 This is the trial in which a judge informs a defendant of their criminal charges.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Pre-Trial<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 Any type of official proceedings that take place before a criminal trial.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Trial De Novo<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A new or sequential trial.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Failure to Appear<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The action of a defendant missing a scheduled, court-ordered, mandatory hearing. Also known as an \u201cFTA.\u201d<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Dismissal<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A case, action, suit, or motion that is dismissed by the court without a trial.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Prosecutor<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The state or government attorneys who review criminal cases for filing. This includes District attorneys, state prosecutors, and Attorney Generals. <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Defendant<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 An individual being charged or prosecuted for a crime they are suspected of committing.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Judge\/Magistrate<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A public official who is legal authorized to decides cases in a court of law.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Bailiff<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The person who maintains order, safety, and security in the court room. This includes Deputy Marshals, Deputy Sheriffs, and Correctional Officers.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Bench<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The built-in desk and seating area at the head of the court room. This is where the judge sits and people testify. <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Charges<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 Unproven violations of the law that must be answered to by the accused in a criminal case.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Case<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A situation of dispute contested in a court of law.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Discovery<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The process in which a defendant is given the right to review all alleged charges and evidences that the prosecution has (and may use) against them.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Conviction<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A final judgement regarding a criminal case.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Motion<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A request for a particular order or ruling by the judge.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Motion Granted<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A judge allows for a requested motion.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Denial of Motion<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A judge refuses to allow a requested motion.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Order<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A court ruling over a lawyer\u2019s motion or request.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Objection<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The act of opposing or contesting a piece of evidence presented by the opposing party.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Overrule<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A judge\u2019s refusal to gratify an objection by counsel in regards to evidence.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Sustaining<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A judge\u2019s approval to uphold an objection by counsel in regards to evidence.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Plea<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A formal statement given by a defendant in regards to their criminal charges that discloses their guilt or innocence. <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Not Guilty Plea<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A formal statement given by a defendant in regards to their criminal charges that asserts innocence. <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Guilty Plea<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A formal statement given by a defendant in regards to their criminal charges that admits guilt.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Nolo Contendere (No Contest)<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A \u201cno contest\u201d plea, which automatically renders the defendant as guilty. This plea cannot be recanted in future civil matters unless allowable by law. <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Evidence<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 Any real thing presented to the court as proof to support a fact. This includes items, witness testimonies, social media activity, recordings, photographs, and more.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Probable Cause<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 Specific and connected facts that would cause a practical, reasonably-thinking person to believe a crime has been committed, and that it was committed by the accused defendant.  <\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Admissible<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 Evidence that is pertinent to the criminal charges against the defendant, and allowable in a court of law.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Hearsay<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 An alleged statement made outside of the courtroom and presented as proof to refute a particular matter being affirmed in court.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Jury<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A group of men and women who have been appointed by trial attorneys to assess evidence and decide questions of fact. This group usually consists of 12 people, 18 years of age or older.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Hung Jury<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 A jury that cannot come to a unanimous agreement of guilty or innocent after an extended period of deliberation.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Judgement<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The court\u2019s official decision regarding the rights and claims of the involved parties in a criminal case.<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Sentence<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The formal decision or finding made by the court in regards to a defendant after they have been convicted of a crime (or crimes).<\/p>\n<h1><font color=\"#785221\">Verdict<\/font><\/h1>\n<p> \u2013 The formal decision made by the jury.<\/p>\n<h2>Are You Facing Criminal Charges in Indiana?<\/h2>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_48\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48\" src=\"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Criminal-Attorney-Indianapolis-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"David E. Lewis Attorney at Law\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-48\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Criminal-Attorney-Indianapolis-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Criminal-Attorney-Indianapolis-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Criminal-Attorney-Indianapolis-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-48\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514<\/p><\/div>If you do not already have a licensed criminal defense lawyer working on your case, you need one right away. Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law<\/a>, at <strong>317-636-7514<\/strong> to start building a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges so that you have a chance at avoiding the maximum penalties for your suspected crimes. Our law firm offers free initial consultations, so there is no out-of-pocket obligations to you. Call 317-636-7514 and get started protecting your future, today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are facing a court trial for criminal charges, it is helpful to know some common terms and definitions that will likely be used to adjudicate your case. This knowledge will allow you to comprehend the proceedings of the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/need-to-know-courtroom-terms-and-definitions\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[444,443,6,442,125],"class_list":["post-880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-criminal-law","tag-courtroom-jargon","tag-courtroom-terms","tag-criminal-defense-lawyer-indianapolis","tag-criminal-defense-terms","tag-legal-definitions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=880"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/880\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":890,"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/880\/revisions\/890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.delewislaw.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}