Acquittal
A legal decision that someone is not guilty of the crime they were charged with.

Appeal
Asking a higher court to review and change a lower court’s decision.

Arraignment
The first court appearance where the person charged hears the charges and enters a plea.

Affidavit
A written statement made under oath, used as evidence in court.

Bail
Money paid to the court to release someone from jail while they wait for trial.

Bench Warrant
A court order to arrest someone who failed to appear in court.

Bond
A way to pay bail, often through a bail bondsman, to get someone out of jail.

Burden of Proof
The responsibility to prove the claims made in a case.

Conviction
When someone is found guilty of a crime by a judge or jury.

Custody
Being held by law enforcement or the state, or the legal right to care for someone (like a child).

Contempt of Court
Disobeying or showing disrespect for the court or its rules.

Citation
A written order to appear in court, usually for a minor offense.

Commutation
A reduction in a criminal sentence, often granted by a governor or president.

Defendant
The person being accused or charged in a legal case.

Deposition
Sworn out-of-court testimony used later in court.

Due Process
The legal right to fair treatment through the court system.

Dismissal
When a judge ends a case without a trial or verdict.

Discovery
The process where both sides share information and evidence before trial.

Evidence
Information or objects used in court to prove something is true or false.

Expungement
The legal process of erasing or sealing a criminal record.

Exoneration
Being officially cleared of blame or proven innocent.

Emancipation
Legal release of a minor from parental control.

Ex Parte
A legal action taken by or for one party without the other party being present.

Felony
A serious crime, usually punishable by more than one year in prison.

Fine
Money that must be paid as punishment for a crime or offense.

Filing
Submitting legal documents to the court.

Guilty
A court decision that a person committed the crime.

Grand Jury
A group of people who decide if there’s enough evidence for a criminal charge.

Guardian
Someone legally responsible for another person, often a child.

Garnishment
When money is taken from someone’s wages to pay a debt.

Good Time Credit
Time taken off a prison sentence for good behavior.

Hearing
A court session where a judge listens to evidence or arguments.

Habeas Corpus
The right to be brought before a court if you're held in jail.

Harassment
Unwanted behavior that causes fear or distress.

House Arrest
Serving a sentence at home instead of in jail, often with electronic monitoring.

Hung Jury
When a jury can't agree on a verdict, causing a mistrial.

Incarceration
Being in jail or prison as punishment for a crime.

Indictment
A formal charge issued by a grand jury.

Injunction
A court order requiring someone to stop doing something.

Interrogation
Questioning by law enforcement, usually about a crime.

Immunity
Legal protection from being prosecuted in exchange for cooperation or testimony.

Judge
The person in charge of the courtroom who makes legal decisions.

Jury
A group of citizens who listen to the case and decide guilt or innocence.

Jurisdiction
The authority a court has to hear and decide a case.

Judgment
The final decision made by a court.

Juvenile
A person under 18; often handled in a separate court system.

Keep the Peace
A court order requiring someone to avoid conflict or violence.

Kiosk Check-In
A self-service station for checking in with a probation or parole officer.

Knowledge (of crime)
Understanding or being aware that a crime is being committed — used in proving intent.

Kiting
Illegal use of checks or credit to create false funds.

Litigation
The process of taking legal action or going to court.

Lien
A legal claim on someone’s property until a debt is paid.

Lawyer
A professional who represents people in legal matters.

Legal Aid
Free or low-cost legal help for people who can’t afford a lawyer.

Lawsuit
A legal case brought by one person against another.

Misdemeanor
A less serious crime, often punished by a fine or less than a year in jail.

Mistrial
A trial that ends without a decision, often because of a legal error or hung jury.

Motion
A formal request to the judge to make a ruling.

Miranda Rights
The rights police must tell someone before an arrest, like the right to remain silent.

Mediation
A way to resolve a dispute without going to trial, using a neutral third party.

No Contest (Nolo Contendere)
A plea where a person doesn’t admit guilt but accepts punishment.

Notice
An official warning or information about a legal action.

Negligence
Failing to act with proper care, causing harm.

Not Guilty
A plea or verdict that someone didn’t commit the crime.

Order of Protection
A court order to keep someone away due to threats or abuse.

Objection
A formal protest by a lawyer during a trial.

Offense
A violation of the law.

Oath
A promise to tell the truth in legal proceedings.

Opening Statement
The first remarks made by each side in a trial.

Parole
Early release from prison with rules to follow.

Plea Bargain
An agreement to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Plaintiff
The person who starts a lawsuit.

Probation
A punishment that lets someone stay in the community under supervision instead of jail.

Perjury
Lying under oath in court.

Quash
To reject or void a legal action or decision.

Qualified Immunity
Legal protection for government officials in certain situations.

Quiet Title
A court action to settle who legally owns property.

Quorum
The minimum number of people needed to make legal decisions in a group.

Quantum Meruit
A legal principle meaning someone should be paid for services they provided.

Restitution
Money a court orders someone to pay to a victim for harm caused.

Restraining Order
A court order to keep someone away from another person.

Record
The official file of everything that happens in a court case.

Rights
Legal protections and freedoms a person has.

Revocation
Taking back a legal right or status, like probation or a license.

Sentence
The punishment given by the court after a conviction.

Subpoena
A legal order to appear in court or bring documents.

Summons
A notice telling someone they must appear in court.

Suspended Sentence
A sentence that is delayed and may not have to be served if rules are followed.

Settlement
An agreement to end a legal dispute without going to trial.

Testimony
Statements made under oath in court.

Transcript
The written record of everything said in court.

Unlawful Detainer
A legal term for someone staying in a property without permission.

Under Oath
Sworn to tell the truth in a legal setting.

Uphold
When a higher court agrees with a lower court’s decision.

Unconstitutional
Something that goes against the Constitution.

Undue Hardship
A serious difficulty, often discussed in legal exceptions or claims.

Verdict
The final decision of guilty or not guilty made by a jury or judge.

Victim Impact Statement
A statement by the victim about how the crime affected them.

Violation
Breaking a law or court order.

Venue
The location where a case is tried.

Visitation
The legal right to visit a child or family member.

Warrant
A legal paper allowing police to arrest or search.

Witness
Someone who sees or knows something related to a case and may testify.

Waiver
Giving up a legal right on purpose.

Withdrawal
Taking back a legal claim or offer.

Writ
A formal court order requiring something to be done.

Zero Tolerance
Strict enforcement of laws without exception.

Zoom Hearing
A court session held virtually using video conferencing.