Magistrate
Public officials, including judicial officers who have limited jurisdiction in criminal cases and civil causes.
Mail Fraud
The use of the mail system to commit a fraud.
Malice Aforethought
Planning to commit an unlawful act without just cause or excuse.
Mandate
A command, order or direction, written or oral, which the court is authorized to give and the person is bound to obey.
Manslaughter
The unpremeditated killing of a person. Can be voluntary or involuntary, determined by circumstances. The feature distinguishing involuntary manslaughter from voluntary is the absence of intent to cause death or commit an act that might be expected to produce death or harm. Voluntary manslaughter is homicide that is committed during an act in the heat of passion.
Mayhem
The intentional infliction of injury on another which causes amputation, disfigurement or impairs the function of any part of the body.
Memorandum at Law
A written instrument concerning facts and the applicable law relating to those facts or arguments.
Microfilm
Rolls of film on which old court records are stored
Minor
A person under the age of 18.
Misdemeanor
Criminal-type offenses that are less serious than felonies and generally those punishable by fine, penalty, forfeiture or imprisonment otherwise than in a penitentiary. Under federal law, and most state laws, any offense other than a felony is classified as a misdemeanor.
Mistrial
A trial which is terminated or declared invalid. Reasons for mistrial include misconduct on the part of the jury, defense team or the court, or illness on the part of the judge, jury or defendant. May be followed by a retrial on the same charges.
Murder
Unlawful killing with malice aforethought. Murder is willful, deliberate and premeditated, or done during the commission of a crime. This classification of crime is generally divided by degrees, murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree, for the purpose of imposing penalties.
