Lie detector test and the apparatus for conducting the test.

The hearing available to a person charged with a felony to determine if there is enough evidence (probable cause) to hold him for trial.

Another term for arraignment.

In civil cases when it is necessary to preserve the status quo prior to trial, the court may issue a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order ordering a party to carry out a specified activity. PREMEDITATION -The planning of a crime preceding the commission of the act, rather than committing the crime on the spur of the moment.

Evidence which is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence which is offered in opposition to it.

A report to the sentencing judge containing background information about the crime and the defendant to assist the judge in making his or her sentencing decision.

Declaration or document issued by a grand jury that either makes a neutral report or notes misdeeds by officials charged with specified public duties. It ordinarily does not include a formal charge of crime. A presentment differs from an indictment .

An inference of the truth or falsity of a proposition or fact, that stands until rebutted by evidence to the contrary.

A hallowed principle of criminal law that a person is innocent of a crime until proven guilty. The government has the burden of proving every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant has no burden to prove his innocence.

A rule of law that courts and judges shall draw a particular inference from a particular fact, or from particular evidence.

A child born after a will is executed, who is not provided for by the will. Most states have laws that provide for a share of estate property to go to such children.

The presence of drugs on the accused for recreational use or for the purpose to sell.

A meeting between the judge and the lawyers involved in a lawsuit to narrow the issues in the suit, agree on what will be presented at the trial, and make a final effort to settle the case without a trial.

A slang term meaning previous conviction(s) of the accused.

A federal or state public building or other place for the confinement of persons. It is used as either a punishment imposed by the law or otherwise in the course of the administration of justice. Also known as penitentiary, penal institution, adult correctional institution, or jail.

A legal right, exemption or immunity granted to a person, company or class, that is beyond the common advantages of other citizens.

Confidential communications to certain persons that are protected by law against any disclosure, including forced disclosure in legal proceedings. Communications between lawyer and client, physician and patient, psychotherapist and patient, priest, minister, or rabbi and penitent are typically privileged.

Mutual or successive relationships to the same right of property, or the same interest of one person with another which represents the same legal right.

A reasonable belief that a crime has or is being committed; the basis for all lawful searches, seizures, and arrests.

The court-supervised process by which a will is determined to be the will-maker's final statement regarding how the will-maker wants his or her property distributed. It also confirms the appointment of the personal representative of the estate. Probate also means the process by which assets are gathered; applied to pay debts, taxes, and expenses of administration; and distributed to those designated as beneficiaries in the will.

The court with authority to supervise estate administration.

Estate property that may be disposed of by a will.

To put off or delay a court hearing.

A sentence imposed for the commission of a crime whereby a convicted criminal offender is released into the community, usually under conditions and under the supervision of a probation officer, instead of incarceration. A violation of probation can lead to its revocation and to imprisonment.

A will that leaves some or all estate assets to a trust established before the will-maker's death.

Formal authorization of a person to act in the interest of another person. PRECEDENT -A previously decided case that guides the decision of future cases.

Court order requiring action or forbidding action until a decision can be made whether to issue a permanent injunction. It differs from a temporary restraining order.

A forejudgment, bias, a preconceived opinion.

Synonymous with reversible error ; an error which warrants the appellate court in reversing the judgment before it.

Evidence which might unfairly sway the judge or jury to one side or the other.