Category: Criminal Procedure

  • Nolle Prosequi

    Nolle Prosequi in the United States A prosecutorial decision not to continue a criminal case. Nolle prosequi, often referred to as nolle or nol pros, is a formal entry on the record dismissing a charge against a defendant. See Also Attrition (Criminal Process) Charge (Criminal Process) Plea […]

  • Stay

    Stay in the United States A formal stopping of a judicial proceeding or some other process. A stay is put into effect by an order from a court. The stay holds the status quo until some specified action occurs. Stays differ from recesses and continuances, which are simply short or long-term […]

  • Stay

    Stay in the United States A formal stopping of a judicial proceeding or some other process. A stay is put into effect by an order from a court. The stay holds the status quo until some specified action occurs. Stays differ from recesses and continuances, which are simply short or long-term […]

  • Trial

    Trial in United States Trial Definition The examination before a competent tribunal, according to the law of the land, of the facte put in issue in a cause for the purpose of determining such issue. 4 Masdn (U. S.) 282. Thts methods of Mai at ennmon law were: (1) By certificate, where the […]

  • Public Trial

    Public Trial in the United States Public Trial Definition A trial which, under reasonable limitations, the public are freely admitted to attend. The attendance may be limited to the reasonable seating capacity of the courtroom (…), and persons whose attendance as a class would probably tend […]

  • Public Trial

    Public Trial in the United States Public Trial Definition A trial which, under reasonable limitations, the public are freely admitted to attend. The attendance may be limited to the reasonable seating capacity of the courtroom (…), and persons whose attendance as a class would probably tend […]

  • Insanity Defense

    Insanity Defense in the United States Assertion that mental disease excuses a criminal act. The insanity defense is built on the concept of criminal intent or mens rea, the guilty mind. Persons who are mentally ill, under terms of this defense, cannot be held accountable for their behavior […]

  • Insanity Defense

    Insanity Defense in the United States Assertion that mental disease excuses a criminal act. The insanity defense is built on the concept of criminal intent or mens rea, the guilty mind. Persons who are mentally ill, under terms of this defense, cannot be held accountable for their behavior […]

  • Criminal Trials

    Criminal Trials in the United States The Rights of Defendants Much of the world’s image of U.S. criminal trials is created by Hollywood television dramas — from Perry Mason, who rarely if ever failed to win acquittal for his clients, to L.A. Law. These shows do not necessarily accurately […]

  • Criminal Trials

    Criminal Trials in the United States The Rights of Defendants Much of the world’s image of U.S. criminal trials is created by Hollywood television dramas — from Perry Mason, who rarely if ever failed to win acquittal for his clients, to L.A. Law. These shows do not necessarily accurately […]

  • Probable Cause

    Probable Cause in the United States Standard of evidence used to assess various governmental actions in criminal matters. Probable cause is a level of evidence required to convince a judicial officer to issue an arrest or search warrant or bind a case over for trial. The level of evidence […]

  • Probable Cause

    Probable Cause in the United States Standard of evidence used to assess various governmental actions in criminal matters. Probable cause is a level of evidence required to convince a judicial officer to issue an arrest or search warrant or bind a case over for trial. The level of evidence […]

  • Misdemeanor

    Misdemeanor in the United States A misdemeanor is a relatively minor criminal offense. Misdemeanors are generally punished by fine, but can involve detention at a county jail for up to one year. Misdemeanors are defined by each state and will vary somewhat. Some states choose to create […]

  • Cruel And Unusual Punishment

    Cruel and Unusual Punishment in the United States A criminal penalty prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Cruel and unusual punishment standards have been drawn from evolving standards of decency. The status of a particular punishment may change as society’s values change. …(T)he Supreme […]

  • Trial Court

    Trial Court in United States Plain-English Law Trial Court as defined by Nolo’s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law (p. 437-455):The first court to hear a lawsuit. Concept of Trial Court In the U.S., in the context of Judiciary power and branch, Trial Court has the following meaning: A court of […]