Glossary of Criminal Defense Terms

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 #

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Sentence: The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.

Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.

Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

Sequester: To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.

Sidebar: A conference between the judge and lawyers held out of earshot of the jury and spectators.

Simple assault: attempted assaults where no weapon was used and which did not result in serious injury to the victim.

Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.

Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.

Subpoena duces tecum: A command to a witness to produce documents.

Summary judgement: A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when there is no dispute as to the facts of the case, and one party is entitled to judgement as a matter of law.