OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY

      7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ABET – To encourage another to commit a crime.  This encouragement may be by advice, inducement, command, etc.  The abettor of a crime is equally guilty with the one who actually commits the crime.  

ABSCOND – To go in a clandestine manner out of the jurisdiction of the courts, or to lie concealed, in order to avoid their process.  

ABSENTIA – Absent proceeding without defendant being present.  

ACCESSORY AFTER THE FACT – One who harbors, assists, or protects another person, although he knows that person has committed a crime.  

ACCESSORY BEFORE THE FACT – One who helps another to commit a crime, even though he is absent when the crime is committed.  

ACCOMPLICE – One who is involved in the commission of a crime with others, whether he actually commits the crime or abets others.  

ACQUITAL – Being found not guilty  

ADDENDUM – An addition to  

ADJUDICATION – The judicial decision that ends a criminal proceeding by a judgment of acquittal, conviction, or dismissal of the case.   

ADJUDICATORY HEARING – A hearing before a judge in Juvenile Court to determine if there is enough evidence to support the claims made in the petition.  

AFFIDAVIT – A written declaration or statement sworn to and affirmed by an officer having authority to administer an oath.  

AFFIRMATION – To swear on one’s conscience that what he says is true.  An oath means that one calls upon God to witness the truth of what he says.  

AGGRAVATED – A severe or intensified assault or battery.  A weapon is usually involved.  

ALIAS – Short for “alias dictum”; any name by which one is known other than his true name.  

ALIBI – A claim that one was in a place different from the scene involved.  If a person proves his alibi, he proves that he could not have committed the crime charged.  

ALLEGED – The term used to modify any fact or charge not yet proven true.  

ALLOCUTION- A courtroom formality occurring when a judge asks a prisoner, prosecutor, or, at times, other pertinent parties if any legal reason exist for judgment to be pronounced at that time or not.  

AMNESTY – A sovereign act of oblivion for past acts, granted by a government to all persons who have been guilty of crime, generally political offenses – and often conditioned upon their return to obedience.  

APPEAL – A case carried to a higher court to ask that the decision of the lower court, in which the case originated, be altered or overruled completely.  

ARRAIGNMENT – The court hearing where the accused is formally advised of the charges against him, and is afforded an opportunity to enter a plea (guilty, no contest, not guilty).  If a guilty or no contest plea is entered, a sentencing hearing may be set or he may be sentenced immediately.  If a not guilty plea is entered, a trial date is set.  No testimony is taken at arraignment.  

ARREST – To take a person into custody so that he may be held to answer to a criminal charge or a civil demand.  

AUTOPSY – The dissection of a dead body to determine the cause of death.  

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BAIL – An amount of money set by the court which allows the release from custody of a person charged with a criminal offense.  The purpose of the bail is to insure the appearance in court of the accused.  

BAIL BOND – An obligation signed by the accused and his sureties, that insures his presence in court.  There is usually no bond permitted in capital cases.  

BAILIFF – A court officer who keeps order in the courtroom, has custody of the jury, and custody of the prisoners while in court.  

BAKER ACT – An act of the court used to pronounce an individual incompetent  

BATTERER – A term used to describe a defendant who commits battery in domestic violence  

BENCH WARRANT – An order by the court for the apprehension and arrest of a defendant or other person who has failed to appear when so ordered.  

BILL OF PARTICULARS – Document in which the prosecution sets forth time, place, manner and means of the commission of the crime as alleged in the complaint or indictment.  

BILL OF RIGHTS – The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States which defines such rights as: due process of law; immunity from illegal search and seizure; the ban on cruel and unusual punishment; unreasonably high bail; indictment by a grand jury and speedy trial.  

BINDING OVER – The act by which a court or magistrate requires a person to enter into a recognizance or furnish bail to appear for trial, to keep the peace, to attend as a witness, etc.  

BOND – Cash or surety to be posted for release on bail; types include:

·        Signature – a signature bond sometimes secured by a mortgage or real property, usually unsecured

·        Surety – A certificate posted by a bonding company to the Sheriff releasing the defendant

·        Supersedeas – The bond set by court during the appeal procedure posted with the clerk of court  

BOND ESTREATURE – A court order to forfeit bond to the county  

BOOKING – The procedure at a police station of entering the name and identifying particulars relating to an arrested person, the charges filed against him, and the name of the arresting officer.  

BOOKING SHEET – The sworn document executed by the arresting officer, which states the probable cause for the instant arrest.  

BURDEN OF PROOF – The duty of affirmatively proving, in a criminal case, the guilty of the defendant “beyond a reasonable doubt”.  

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CALENDAR – A list of cases to be heard in a trial court, on a specific day, and containing the title of the case, the lawyers involved, and the case number.  

CAPIAS – A capias is generated after the filing of an information.  This document has the same force and effect as an arrest warrant.  

CAPITAL CRIME – Any crime that may be punishable by death or imprisonment for life.  

CASELOAD – The number of cases actively being investigated by a police detective or being supervised by a probation or parole officer.  

CHANGE OF VENUE – The removal of a trial from one jurisdiction to another in order to avoid local prejudice.  

CHARGE – In criminal law, the accusation made against a person.  It also refers to the judge’s instruction to the jury on legal points.  

CIRCUIT COURT – The court that hears felony and juvenile cases  

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE – Testimony not based on actual personal knowledge or observations of the facts.  

CITATION – A summons given to defendant indicating the offense committed.  

CITIZEN’S ARREST – A taking into custody of an alleged offender by a person who is not a law enforcement officer.  Such an arrest is lawful if the crime was attempted or committed in his presence.  

CITIZEN’S COMPLAINT – A sworn affidavit submitted by a private citizen, which alleges some type of criminal behavior on the part of another.  Intake on these complaints is accomplished in a similar fashion to booking sheets in the Misdemeanor Division.  

CIVIL – A type of legal case involving private rights and remedies of citizens.  

CLERK OF COURT – Official custodian and keeper of all original documents, pleadings, evidence, etc. (criminal and civil)  

CLOSING ARGUMENT – The final statements (argument) by an attorney to jury/judge.  

CO-COUNSEL – An attorney who assists lead attorney in the litigation of a case. 

CO-DEFENDANT – A person accused  

CODE – A compilation, compendium or revision of laws, arranged into chapters, have a table of contents and index, and promulgated by legislative authority: Criminal code, Penal code.  

COERCION – The compelling of person to do that which he is not obliged to do, or to omit doing what he may legally do, by some illegal threat, force, or intimidation.  For example: a forced confession.  

COMMIT – To perpetrate, as a crime; to place person in custody in a prison or other institution by lawful order.  

COMMON LAW – Law that derives its authority from usage and custom or court decisions, rather than from legislation.  

COMMUNITY CONTROL – a form of probation restricting the actions and movement (location) of the defendant.    

COMMUTATION – In criminal law, to change the punishment meted out to a criminal to one less severe.  

COMPENSATION – An act which a court orders to be done, or money a court orders to be paid, by a person whose acts have caused loss or injury to another.  

COMPLAINT – A written statement presented to the court charging a defendant with an offense.  

COMPLAINANT – One who applies to the courts for legal relief by filing a complaint.  

CONCURRENT SENTENCE – Each sentence runs at the same time.  

CONFESSION - An admission by the accused of his guilt; a partial admission (e.g., that he was at the crime scene; that he had a motive is referred to as “an admission against interest”).  

CONFINEMENT – Deprivation of liberty in a jail or prison either as punishment for a crime or as detention while guilt or innocence is being determined.  

CONSENSUAL CRIME – A crime without a victim; one in which both parties voluntarily participate (e.g., adultery, sodomy, etc.).  

CONSPIRACY – A secret combination of two or more persons who plan for the purpose of committing a crime or any unlawful act or a lawful act by unlawful criminal means.

CONTEMPT OF COURT – Any act which is calculated to embarrass, hinder, or obstruct a court in the administration of justice, or which is calculated to lessen its authority.

CONTINUANCE – Postponement of legal proceedings.  

CONVICTION – A finding by the jury (or by the trial judge in cases tried without a jury) that the accused is guilty of a crime.  

CORONER – A public official whose principal duty is to investigate sudden or violent death if the death is suspicious or violent.  

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT – Physical punishment inflicted upon the body of another person.  

CORPUS DELICTI – The body, or substance, of a crime.  The body upon which a crime has been committed.  

CORRECTIONS – Area of criminal justice dealing with convicted offenders in jails, prisons; on probation or parole.  

CORROBORATING EVIDENCE – Supplementary evidence that tends to strengthen or confirm other evidence given previously.  

COURT CLERK – A person employed by the clerk of circuit court, who is present at court proceedings and documents all pertinent information regarding court events.  

COURT REPORTER/STENOGRAPHER – A person, who is present at court proceedings, depositions who types “word for word” or verbatim all conversation on the record.  

CRIME – A positive or negative act in violation of penal law; an offense against a State of the United States .  

CRIMINAL INSANITY – Lack of mental capacity to do or refrain from doing a criminal act; inability to distinguish right from wrong.   

CRIMINALISTICS – The science of crime detection, e.g., ballistics, analysis of stains, etc.  

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM – The entire network of government agencies charged with law enforcement, prosecution, trial and the punishment and supervision of those arrested and/or convicted of having violated the criminal law.  

CRIMINOLOGY – The scientific study of crime and criminals.  

CROSS EXAMINATION – The questioning of a witness by the party who did not produce the witness.  

CULPABILITY – Guilty; blameworthiness.  

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DEFENDANT – Person against whom complaint or charge is filed.  

DELINQUENCY – Failure; omission; violation of law or duty.  (SEE JUVENILE DELINQUENT).  

DEMAND FOR SPEEDY TRIAL – A document filed by the defendant stating that he is ready to go to trial within five (5) days, and requires the State to proceed to trial within sixty (60) days.  

DEMURRER – In court procedure, a statement that the charge that a crime has been committed has no sufficient basis in law, despite the truth of the facts alleged.  

DEPENDENCY – A case involving child and parental rights.  

DEPOSITION – The questioning of a witness, under oath, prior to trial.  In a criminal case, it is considered part of the discovery process. In this fashion, attorneys from both sides learn what witnesses know about the case.   

DETENTION – To hold a person in confinement while awaiting trial or sentence, or as a material witness.  

DETENTION HEARING – A hearing similar to first appearances, for juvenile delinquents.  

DETERRENT – Anything which impedes or has a tendency to prevent; e.g., punishment is a “deterrent” to crime.  

DIRECTED VERDICT – An instruction by the judge to the jury to return a specific verdict.  A judge may not direct a guilty verdict.  

DIRECTED EVIDENCE – Proof of facts by witnesses who actually was acts or heard words, as distinguished from “circumstantial evidence”.  

DIRECT EXAMINATION – The first questioning of a witness by the party who produced him.  

DISCOVERY – In criminal cases, this is a process through which the State must reveal to the defense the State’s witness’s names and addresses, as well as the substance of any statements made by those witnesses.  The State must also provide access to any statements, reports or documents in its possession, which relate to the case.  

DISCRETION – The decision-making powers of officers of the criminal justice system (e.g., to arrest or not, to prosecute or not, to plea-bargain, to grant probation, or to sentence to a penal institution).  

DISMISSAL – An order or judgement finally disposing of an action, suit, motion, etc., without trial of the issues involved.  

DISPOSITION – The final outcome of a case.  

DISTRICT – One of the territorial areas in which a country, state, county, municipality or other political subdivision is divided for judicial, political electoral or administrative purposes.  

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – Prosecutor; sometimes County Attorney , State Attorney.  (US Attorney in Federal practice).  

DIVERSION – A process where by the defendant/delinquent is diverted from proceedings and enters alternative programs in lieu of prosecution.  (Used in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, domestic violence and worthless check divisions)  

DOCKET – The formal record maintained by the court clerk, listing all cases heard.  It contains the defendant’s name, case number, date of arrest, and the outcome of the case.  

DOCKET SOUNDING – A court proceeding where both the State and defense declare their readiness to proceed to trial.  A trial date is set for specific cases.  No testimony is taken from witnesses at this proceeding.  

DOUBLE JEOPARDY – To be prosecuted twice for the same offense.  

DUE PROCESS – Law in its regular course of administration through the courts of justice.  Guaranteed by the 5^th and 14^th Amendments.  

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ELEMENTS OF A CRIME – The parts of a crime, which are statutorily required to be alleged in the charging document (Information) and then proven beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.  

EMBRACERY – An attempt to influence a jury, or a member thereof, in their verdict by an improper means.  

ENTRAPMENT – The instigation of a crime by officers or agents of a government who induce a person to commit a crime that he did not originally contemplate in order to institute a criminal prosecution against him.  

EVIDENCE – All the means used to prove or disprove the fact at issue.  

EXAMINATION – An investigation of a witness by counsel in the form of questions for the purpose of bringing before the court knowledge possessed by the witness.  

EXCEPTION – A formal objection to the action of the court during a trial.  The indication is that the excepting party will seek to reverse the court’s action at some future proceeding.  Objection.  

EXCLUSIONARY RULE – Rule of evidence, which makes illegally acquired evidence inadmissible.  

EXECUTIVE ASSIGNMENT – When a case is transferred/reassigned by the Office of  Governor for investigation/prosecution.  

EXPERT EVIDENCE – Testimony by one qualified to speak authoritatively on technical matters because of his special training or skill.  

EXPUNGEMENT – To seal or close a criminal record.  

EX POST FACTO – After the fact.  An ex post facto law is a criminal law that makes an act unlawful although it was committed prior to the passage of that law.  

EXTRADITION – The surrender by one state to another of an individual accused of a crime.  

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FALSE ARREST – Any unlawful physical restraint of another’s freedom of movement.  Unlawful arrest.  

FEDERAL REPORTER (F.2d) – A publication of judicial opinions of the federal courts.  

FELONY – A criminal act for which the offender can be sentenced to a prison term in excess of one year.  A law enforcement officer can arrest a subject on probable cause for a felony.  

FIRST APPEARANCE – Within 24 hours of arrest, a suspect has the right to be brought before a Judge to be advised of what he has been arrested for and a bond set.  The Judge reviews the sworn booking sheet and if probable cause is found, a bond can then be set.  If no probable cause is found, the suspect is then released on his own recognizance.  (This does not mean the charges are dropped, only that sufficient probable cause has not been found on the face of the booking sheet.)  

FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (FRCrP) – A set of mandated rules used by the judiciary in the prosecution of cases.  

FLORIDA STATUTES -  A listing or book of laws of the State of Florida .  

FORENSIC – Relating to the court.  Thus, forensic medicine would refer to medicine in relation to court proceedings and the law in general.  

FORFEITURE – To forfeit or give up rights of possession to items such as vehicles, airplanes, boats, money which such is used or confiscated in the commission of a crime.  

FRUITS OF THE POISONOUS TREE DOCTRINE – Evidence which is generated, directly derived or taken by or from an illegal search or interrogation is generally inadmissible against the defendant because of its original taint.  

FRUITS OF CRIME – Material objectives acquired by means and in consequence of the commission of the crime.  

FURLOUGH – A temporary leave of absence.  

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GAG ORDER – An order by the court, directed to attorneys and witnesses, to not discuss the trial with reporters; or an order to reporters to not report court proceedings.  

GRAND JURY – A jury that hears evidence presented by the prosecutor to determine whether there is enough evidence to justify a formal criminal charge or “indictment”.  

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HABEAS CORPUS (WRIT OF) – An order that requires a jailer, warden police chief, or other public official to produce a person being held in custody before a court in order to show that they have a legal right to hold him in custody.  

HEARING – A court proceeding where some issue other than guilt or innocence is determined.  There may or may not be witness testimony taken, depending on the type of hearing.  

HEARSAY – Evidence not originating from the witness’ personal knowledge.  

HOMICIDE – The killing of a human being; may be murder, negligent or non-negligent manslaughter, or excusable or justifiable homicide.

·        Excusable – Killing in self defense or by accident

·        Justifiable – Killing committed intentionally but without evil intent

·        Vehicular – Killing of a human being by operation of an automobile, airplane or motorboat  

HUNG JURY – A jury whose members cannot agree whether the accused is guilty or innocent.

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INTERSTATE AGREEMENT ON DETAINERS - A compact between most states and the federal government to facilitate the transfer of prisoners in prison in one state to another state for the purpose of facing an untried indictment, information or complaint.  

IGNORAMUS – A Latin phrase meaning “we ignore”, which is used by a grand jury when, instead of returning an indictment in a case, they ignore it and decide that the case should be dropped.  Modern terminology uses the term “No true bill”. 

IMPACT STATEMENT – A written account of the physical, monetary, and/or emotional loss or suffering that resulted from a crime and how the victim would like to see the case resolved.  

IMPEACH – To discredit.  To question the truthfulness of a witness.  Also, to charge a president or governor with criminal misconduct.  

IMPRISONMENT – The act of confining a convicted felon in a federal or state prison.  

IN CAMERA – In the judge’s private chambers; in secrecy; the general public and press are excluded.  

INDICTMENT – A formal criminal charge made by a grand jury after hearing evidence presented by the prosecutor.  

INFERENCE – A conclusion one draws about something based on proof of certain other facts.  

INFORMATION – A formal document filed by the State Attorney which charges a suspect with a specific crime or crimes.  A document prepared by the prosecutor as a means for presenting the charges against the defendant to the court in certain types of cases (also see “Complaint”).  

INJUNCTION – An order by a court prohibiting a defendant from committing an act.  

INTAKE – This is the process by which an Assistant State Attorney reviews booking sheets and citizen complaints, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence that a crime was committed and to show who committed it.  If so, formal charges (an Information) are filed.  

INTENT – A design or determination of the mind to do or not do a certain thing.  Intent may be determined from the nature of one’s acts.  

INVOKE THE RULE – Separation and exclusion of witnesses from the courtroom while testimony is being offered from other witnesses.  

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JEOPARDY – Jeopardy attaches when a jury is sworn to try a case in a jury trial, or the Judge begins to hear evidence in a non-jury trial.  Once jeopardy attaches, if the defendant is acquitted the State cannot bring him back to trial for any charges arising from that same set of circumstances, on which he as initially tried.  For instance, if a defendant is tried and acquitted for First Degree Murder, he cannot be brought back and tried for Manslaughter of the same victim.  

JUDICIAL NOTICE – The rule that a court will accept certain things as common knowledge without proof.  

JUDGEMENT/SENTENCE – The official document of a judges decision (disposition) of a case and sentence of a defendant.  

JURY – A group of people summoned and sworn to decide on the facts in issue at a trial.  Composed of peers or a cross-section of the community.  (See Grand Jury and Petit Jury).  

JURY DEMAND COURT – Court where misdemeanor cases are held when the defendant asks for a jury trial.  This does not mean there will be a jury.  Often the defendant waives his right to a jury trial in court.  

JURY INSTRUCTION – Direction given by the judge to the members of a jury concerning the law of the cases.  

JURY SEQUESTRATION – Isolating the jury from public for the duration of a trial to prevent tampering and exposure t trial publicity.  

JUVENILE DELINQUENT – A boy or girl who has not reached the age of criminal liability (varies from state to state) and who commits an act which would be a misdemeanor or felony if he were an adult.  

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LENIENCY – An usually mild sentence imposed on a convicted offender; clemency granted by the President or a state governor;  

LITIGATION – Undertaking of a legal action.  

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MALFEASANCE – The act of a public officer in committing a crime relating to his official duties or powers.  Accepting or demanding a bribe.  

MALICE – An evil intent to vex, annoy or injure another; intentional evil.  

MALICIOUS PROSECUTION – An action instituted in bad faith with the intention of injuring the defendant.  

MANDAMUS – A writ that issues from a superior court, directed to any person, corporation or inferior court, requiring it to do some particular thing.  

MANSLAUGHTER – Causing the death of another person either unintentionally but because of recklessness or gross neglect (or voluntary or negligent manslaughter)  or intentionally but with provocation that a reasonable person would fin extreme (voluntary or non-negligent manslaughter).  

MENS RAE – A guilty intent.  

MIRANDA WARNING – A police officer when taking a suspect into custody must warn him of his right to remain silent and of his right to an attorney.  

MISDEMEANOR – Less serious than a felony, this is a criminal act which is punishable by up to one year in a county jail.  In most instances, a law enforcement officer cannot arrest a subject for a misdemeanor that does not occur in his presence.  (Domestic Violence is an exception to this rule).  

MISPRISON – Failing to reveal a crime.  

MISTRIAL -  A trial discontinued before reaching a verdict because of some procedural defect or impediment.  

MODUS OPERANDI – Method of operation by criminals.  

MOTIONS -  Procedural moves made by either the defense attorney or the prosecutor and submitted to the court, helping to define and set the ground rules for the proceedings of a particular case.

Examples of Motions

·        Motion in Limine – A motion against admission of prejudicial statements or questions

·        Motion to Compel – A motion to enter an order compelling the    Defendant to provide to the State all documents and the reports of all experts that the Defendant intends to use at trial

·        Motion to mitigate sentence – A motion to reduce sentence

·        Motion to continue – A motion to reschedule a court proceeding

·        Motion to suppress – A motion to prevent admission of evidence in a case

·        Motion for a new trial – A motion requesting the judge to set aside judgement and order a new trial  

MOTIONS HEARING -  A hearing before a judge at which the prosecutor and the defense attorney may submit motions, or formal requests, for orders or ruling by the judge.  Such motions might have to do with evidence to be permitted at trial or for psychiatric examination of the accused.  The judge decides whether to grant these motions.  Witnesses are sometimes required at motions hearings.  

MOTIVE – The reason for committing a crime.  

MURDER – intentionally causing the death of another person without extreme provocation or legal justification or causing the death of another while committing or attempting to commit another crime.  

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NEGLIGENCE – Failure to use such care as reasonable or ordinary

            Examples

·        Contributing – When negligence contributes to injury

·        Culpable – failure to exercise a degree of care appropriate for the circumstances

·        Gross – Intentional failure to act; reckless disregard of the consequences  

NO BILL -  A phrase used by Grand Jury when they fail to indict.  

NO INFORMATION NOTICE -  A document filed by the State Attorney which notifies the defendant, the Clerk of Courts and the law enforcement agencies involved that the State will not proceed with a specific case.  This process takes place after arrest, but before a charging document has been filed.  

NOLLE PROSEQUL (NOLLE PROSSE)  -  A document filed by the State Attorney which notifies the defendant, the Clerk of Courts and the law enforcement agencies involved that the State will not proceed with a specific case.  This process takes place after arrest and after a charging document has been filed.  

NOLO CONTENDRE -  A pleading, usually used by a defendant in a criminal case, that literally means “I will not contest”. 

NOTICE -  Issued by the State Attorney’s office calling a person to appear in court at a specific time.  

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OBJECTION -  The act of taking exception to some statement or procedure in a trial.  Used to call the court’s attention to some improper evidence or procedure in a trial. 

OPINION EVIDENCE -   A witness’ belief or opinion about a fact in dispute, as distinguished from personal knowledge of the fact.  Expert testimony.  

ORDER – A document signed by the judge making a ruling or award

            Examples

·        Order to show cause – Requires person to appear and show why some action should not be taken

·        Order to discharge bond – When bond is released, usually once case is disposed

·        Order appointing counsel

·         Recall order – recalling a warrant or capias

·        Order granting continuance – Court event is rescheduled           

ORDINANCE –  A statute enacted by the city or municipal government.  

ORGANIZED CRIME -  The crime syndicate.  Continuing criminal conspiracy which engages in crime as a business.  

ORIGINAL JURISDICTION -  Trial jurisdiction.  

OVER ACT -  An opinion or physical act. As opposed to a thought or mere intention.  

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PARDON -  Executive clemency setting aside a conviction and penalty.  

PAROLE -  A conditional release from prison, under supervision.  

PAROLE REVOCATION HEARING -  Normally a two step process.  The first step consists of a preliminary hearing.  At the hearing, the parolee may present letters, documents and individuals as evidence of his good behavior during the time of his release.  If probable cause is found, a final revocation hearing is hold to evaluate all the facts and to determine if parole should be revoked.  Sometimes called probation revocation hearing.  

PENAL CODE -  The criminal law of jurisdiction.  

PENOLOGY -  The study of punishment and corrections.  

PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE -  The act of objecting to a certain number of jurors without assigning a cause for their dismissal.  Used during the voir dire examination.  

PERJURY -    Deliberate false testimony under oath 

PERPETRATOR  -  A person who commits a crime.  

PETIT JURY -  The ordinary trial jury, as opposed to Grand Jury,  composed of 12 persons who hear criminal cases.  Determines guilt or innocence of the accused.  

PLEA -  A Plea before a Circuit Judge in General Sessions (Criminal) Court is an admission of guilty by a defendant.  If a defendant pleads guilty, a trial is not necessary.  

PLEA BARGAINING -  Negotiation between the defense and the prosecution in which concessions are made regarding the sentencing of the defendant in exchange for a guilty plea.