Chapter One
Institution of Social Control – An organization that persuades people, through subtle and not-so-subtle means, to abide by the dominant values of society.
Jurisdiction – A politically defined geographical area. The right or authority of a justice agency to act with regard to a particular subject matter, territory, or person. The authority of a court to bear and decide cases.
Misdemeanors – A less serious crime generally punishable by a fine or by incarceration in jail for not more than a year.
Felonies – A serious offense punishable by confinement to prison for more than one year or by death.
Arrest – The seizing or the taking of a person into custody by lawful, either actual physical custody, as when a suspect is handcuffed by a police officer, or constructive custody, as when a person peacefully submits to a police officer’s control.
Booking – The administrative recording of an arrest. Typically, the suspect’s name, the charge for which the person was arrested, and perhaps the suspect’s fingerprints or photograph are entered in the police blotter.
Defendant – A person against whom a legal action is brought, a warrant is issues, or an indictment is found.
Initial Appearance – A pretrial stage in which a defendant is brought before a lower court to be given notice of the charges and advised of her or his constitutional rights.
Summary Trial or Bench Trial – A trial before a judge without a jury.
Probable Cause – The amount of proof necessary for a reasonably intelligent person to believe that a crime has been committed or that items connected with criminal activity can be found in a particular place. It is standard of proof needed to conduct a search or to make an arrest.
Bail – Usually a monetary guarantee deposited with the court that is supposed to ensure that the suspect of defendant will appear at a later stage in the criminal justice process.
Preliminary Hearing – A pretrial stage used in about one-hald of all states and only in felony cases. Its purpose is for a judge to determine whether there is probable cause to support the charge or charges imposed by the prosecutor.
Grand Jury – Generally a group of 12 to 23 citizens who meet in closed sessions to investigate charges coming from preliminary hearings or to engage in other responsibilities. A primary purpose of the grand jury is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the accused committed the crime or crimes.
Information – A document that outlines the formal charges against a suspect, the law that have been violated, and the evidence to support the charges.
Arraignment – A pretrial stage; its primary purpose is to hear the formal information or indictment and to allow the defendant to enter a plea.
Plea Bargaining – The practice whereby the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the defendant, and—in many jurisdictions—the judge agree on a specific sentence to be imposed if the accused pleads guilty to an agreed-upon charge or charges instead of going