Capias
The Latin meaning is "That You Take". This is the name for several types of writs which require that a law enforcement official take a named defendant into custody.
Capital Case/Crime
Case or crime for which the death penalty may be imposed.
Capital Punishment
Punishment by death for capital crime.
Caption
The title of a pleading.
Carnal
Sexual, sensual. Carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse.
Cash Bond
Sum of money posted by a criminal defendant to insure his presence in court. Used in place of surety bond and real estate.
Cause of Action
One or more related charges, combined and made against a defendant for wrongs committed.
Certified Copy
A copy of a document that has a certification stamp, signature of the Clerk of Court and Clerkﾒs Seal verifying that it is a true and correct copy.
Charge
An accusation of wrong doing.
Child
Individual who is younger than 18 years of age.
Circuit
Judicial division of the United States or of an individual state.
Circuit Courts
Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several counties or districts. (There are thirteen judicial circuits wherein the U.S. Courts of Appeals reside).
Citation
An order issued by a law enforcement officer requiring appearance in court to answer a charge. Bail is not accepted in lieu of appearance.
City Court
Courts that try persons accused of violating municipal ordinances. City courts may have jurisdiction over minor civil or criminal cases, or both.
Civil Disorder
A violent public disturbance by three or more people which causes danger, damage or injury to property or persons.
Co-defendant
One of a group of two or more people charged in the same crime.
Coercion
The use of physical force or threats to compel someone to commit an act against their will.
Common Law
A body of legal principles which derives its authority solely from usages and customs of ancient times, or from the judgments and decrees of courts recognizing, affirming, and enforcing such usages and customs; particularly the ancient unwritten law of England. Common law is to be distinguished from "statutory law," which is enacted by a legislative body such as Congress or a state legislature.
Community
A city, town, district, neighborhood, or other commonly recognized geographical, social, or political area.
Community Resources
Workplaces, businesses, places of worship, social groups, consultants, health care facilities or professionals, places for recreation or entertainment, and other facilities, professionals, or supports generally available to the population-at-large within a community.
Community Service
A court imposed sanction that requires offenders to work in the community to repay society for the harm done by their actions.
Competent
Means a person is capable of making informed decisions in specific areas regarding the conduct of one's personal and/or financial affairs. Family - Parent, foster parents, spouses, siblings, and others who perform the roles and functions of family members in the life of an individual, including persons in a relationship of mutual support with an individual that is exclusive and expected to endure over time.
Complaint
The document on which criminal misdemeanors are charged in District Court, as well as the initial charging document for felonies.
Compounding Crime
The receipt by an individual of consideration in exchange for an agreement not to prosecute or inform on someone who they know has committed a crime.
Concurrent Sentence
Upon conviction for multiple crimes, a criminal sentence served at the same time as another criminal sentence, rather than one after the other.
Conditional Discharge
A conviction. Court issues the discharge from the jail and requires defendant to comply with some conditions. Regardless whether defendant complies with rules or not, he/she is still convicted (GUILTY) and case can never be expunged.
Conditional Release
The release from a correctional facility before full sentence has been served which is conditioned on specific behavior. If conditions are not met, the individual may be returned to the facility.
Consecutive Sentence
Upon conviction for multiple crimes, a criminal sentence served at the same time as another criminal sentence, rather than one after the other.
Consolidation
The joining of two or more cases that pertain to the same cause of action.
Conspiracy
The coming together of two or more people for the purpose of committing an unlawful act or to commit a lawful act by unlawful means.
Contempt of Court
An act committed which serves to obstruct the court in its administration or authority.
Controlled Substance
A drug whose availability is restricted by law.
Conversion
The unauthorized taking of another's property.
Conviction
Guilty verdict in a criminal trial.
Count/Charge
An offense named in a cause of action. A cause of action may contain multiple counts or charges, each relating to the others but identifying a separate offense.
Court of Appeals
An "intermediate" appellate court between the Supreme Court and state trial courts. Final decisions from a Circuit or Probate Court hearing may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.
Court of Limited Jurisdiction
Court that has authority to adjudicate cases of a certain kind or up to a limited amount, usually lesser offenses. (Opposite of Court of General Jurisdiction)
Court of Record
The court where the permanent record of all proceedings is held.
Court-Appointed Attorney
Legal counsel assigned by the court to represent an indigent criminal defendant. A court-appointed attorney is not necessarily a "free" attorney; the court can order that some or all of the attorney's bill be reimbursed.
Credit Bureau
A reporting agency that assembles information on borrowers to help lenders evaluate credit worthiness. You are entitled to see your credit report and dispute or add to the information you feel is erroneous. Your objection(s) must be filed in writing with the report.
Credit Card Fraud
Use, or attempted use of a credit card to purchase goods or services with the intent to avoid payment of such.
Crime Against Nature
Deviate sexual intercourse.
Criminal Case
A charge filed by a prosecutor against a defendant concerning violation of a criminal law. The act of violating a criminal law is an offense against the community, not a private wrong. Examples of criminal cases include theft and murder.
Criminal Nonsupport
Failure to pay child support in violation of court order.
Cross Examination
The questioning of a witness by a party other than the one who called that witness to the stand.
Culpability
Blame, or degree of responsibility for a crime. This may be in degrees of purposeful, knowingly, recklessly or by negligence.
Cumulative Sentence
A sentence that takes effect after a prior sentence is completed for crimes tried under the same cause of action.
