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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Vandalism: willful or malicious destruction, injury, or disfigurement of any public or private property, real or personal, without consent of owner or persons having custody or control.

Venue: The location where the case is tried.

Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.

Violent crime: willful homicide, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Voir dire: The process by which judges and lawyers select a petit jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. "Voir dire" is a phrase meaning "to speak the truth."