Palynology,
Preliminary (Evidential) Hearing,
Plea Bargaining,
Infraction,
Junk Science,
Misdemeanor,
Miranda Rights,
Odontology,
Indict,
Pathology,
Grand Jury,
Arraignment,
Stare decisis,
Frye Standard,
Evidence
make short definitions
- Palynology: the study of pollen and spores, often used in forensic investigations to link suspects to crime scenes or locations
- Preliminary (Evidential) Hearing: a court hearing held before a trial to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Plea Bargaining: a negotiation process between the prosecution and the defense, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence or lesser charge
- Infraction: a minor offense, often punishable by a fine rather than imprisonment
- Junk Science: unverified or questionable scientific methods or theories used in legal proceedings
- Misdemeanor: a less serious criminal offense, typically punishable by a fine or short-term imprisonment
- Miranda Rights: the rights that must be read to a person under arrest, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney
- Odontology: the study of teeth and bite marks, often used in forensic investigations to identify individuals or determine cause of death
- Indict: to formally charge someone with a criminal offense, based on a decision by a grand jury or a prosecutor
- Pathology: the study of diseases and their effects, often used in forensic investigations to determine cause of death or identify injuries
- Grand Jury: a group of citizens who review evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine if there is enough evidence to issue an indictment
- Arraignment: a court hearing where the defendant is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea
- Stare decisis: the principle of following precedent or legal decisions made in previous cases
- Frye Standard: a test used to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence in court, where the evidence must be based on principles that are generally accepted within the scientific community
- Evidence: any information or material presented in court that is used to prove or disprove the facts of a case
Palynology: The scientific study of pollen and spores, commonly used in forensic investigations to analyze samples found at crime scenes.
Preliminary (Evidential) Hearing: A legal proceeding in which a judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.
Plea Bargaining: The negotiation between a defendant and prosecutor, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence or charges.
Infraction: A minor offense that typically carries a lesser penalty than a misdemeanor or felony.
Junk Science: A derogatory term referring to unproven or unreliable scientific methods or evidence presented in a legal case.
Misdemeanor: A less serious criminal offense, typically punishable by fines or imprisonment for less than a year.
Miranda Rights: The rights of an individual upon arrest, famously stated as "you have the right to remain silent..."
Odontology: The study of teeth, often used in forensic science for identifying individuals based on dental records.
Indict: The formal accusation of a person for a crime, typically issued by a grand jury.
Pathology: The study of diseases and the effects on the human body, often used in forensic science to determine cause of death.
Grand Jury: A group of citizens convened to listen to evidence and determine if there is enough probable cause to bring formal charges against a defendant.
Arraignment: The initial court appearance of a defendant, where they are informed of the charges against them and asked to enter a plea.
Stare decisis: The legal principle of following precedent and allowing prior court decisions to guide future rulings.
Frye Standard: A legal standard that determines the admissibility of scientific evidence in court based on whether it is generally accepted within the relevant scientific community.
Evidence: Information or objects presented in a legal case to prove or disprove facts related to the case.
Palynology: The study of pollen and spores, often used in forensic investigations to determine important information like the time and place of a crime.
Preliminary (Evidential) Hearing: A court hearing held to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial.
Plea Bargaining: A negotiation between the prosecutor and the defendant where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
Infraction: A minor offense that is typically punishable by a fine or citation but does not result in imprisonment.
Junk Science: Refers to unscientific or unreliable methods and evidence that lack credibility in the scientific community and are often inadmissible in courts.
Misdemeanor: A less serious criminal offense that is typically punishable by fines, probation, or short periods of imprisonment.
Miranda Rights: The legal rights that individuals must be informed of when placed under arrest, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Odontology: The study of dental evidence, often used in forensic investigations to identify remains through dental records or bite mark analysis.
Indict: To formally accuse someone of a crime based on the findings of a grand jury or prosecutor, typically leading to a trial.
Pathology: The study of diseases and their effects on the body, often involved in performing autopsies and determining the cause of death.
Grand Jury: A group of citizens who are convened to decide whether there is enough evidence to indict someone and proceed to trial in a criminal case.
Arraignment: The court proceeding in which the defendant is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
Stare decisis: The principle of following the legal precedent set by previously decided cases, ensuring consistency and predictability in the legal system.
Frye Standard: A legal standard used to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence in court, based on whether the scientific method used is generally accepted by the relevant scientific community.
Evidence: Any information, material, or testimony presented in court that is used to establish facts in a legal case and support the claims of the parties involved.