Key Terms

AAG. Assistant attorney general.

arrest. The legal detainment of a person to answer for criminal charges or civil demands.

attorney general. The chieflegal officer of a state, often representing the state in criminal matters.

chain of custody. A recording of the persons having custody of evidence from its initial receipt to its final disposition. The record reflects the dates, reasons, and names involved in the transfer of evidence.

deposition. Sworn testimony obtained outside a court.

docket. A formal record of court proceedings.

elements of the crime. Any conduct, circumstance, condition, or state of mind which constitutes an unlawful act.

evidence. All means of giving information to courts involving factual disputes, including testimony documents, and physical objects.

felony. A criminal offense punishable by death or incarceration in a prison.

hearsay evidence. Evidence that a witness has learned from others.

homicide. Any willful killing, including murder and non-negligent manslaughter.

Magna Carta. A thirteenth-century English document that granted rights to some citizens. It influenced the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, called the Bill of Rights.

Miranda rights. Rights that a person accused or suspected of having committed a specific offense has during interrogation of which he must be informed prior to questioning as stated by the U.S. Supreme Court inMiranda v. Arizona in 1966.

OIC. Officer-in-charge.

prosecutor. An attorney whose duty is to conduct criminal proceedings against persons accused of committing a criminal offense.

search warrant. A document issued by a judicial officer that directs a law enforcement officer to conduct a search at a specific location for specified property or persons relating to a crime.

tort. The breach of a duty to an individual that results in damage to him.

witness. Anyone called to testify in a trial A witness is sworn in and offers evidence deemed relevant to the case.