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CRIMINAL DEFENSE GLOSSARY |
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Glossary of Criminal
Defense Terms
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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 #
Click on
the first letter of the word from the list above to go to
the appropriate section of the glossary.
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- P -
Panel: (1) In appellate cases, a group of
judges (usually three) assigned to decide the case; (2) In the jury selection
process, the group of potential jurors.
Parties: Plaintiffs and defendants
(petitioners and respondents) to lawsuits, also known as appellants and
appellees in appeals, and their lawyers.
Personal recognizance: In criminal
proceedings, the pretrial release of a defendant without bail upon his or her
promise to return to court. (See also recognizance.)
Petit jury (or trial jury): A group of
citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine
the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons.
Petty offense: Misdemeanor punishable by
six months or less in prison.
Plea: in a criminal case, the defendant=s
statement pleading guilty or not guilty in answer to charges presented.
Precedent: A court decision in an earlier
case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent
will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can
show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way.
Pretrial conference: A meeting of the
judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to
review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement
of the case.
Probation: A sentencing alternative to
imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision
as long as certain conditions are observed.
Procedure: The rules for the conduct of a
lawsuit; there are rules of civil, criminal, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate
procedure.
Pro se: A Latin term meaning "on
one's own behalf"; refers to people representing their own cases without
attorney representation.
Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime.
A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
Proxy: The instrument authorizing one
person to represent, act, and vote for another at a shareholders' meeting of a
corporation.
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Injury Law
Glossary.
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