Acquittal  
A release, absolution, or discharge of an obligation or liability.  In criminal law, a verdict of not guilty.
  
Adjudication  
Giving or pronouncing a judgment, decree or the judgment given.  

Affray
A fight between two or more people in a public place that disturbs the peace.  
  
Aggravated Assault  
A criminal assault accompanied by aggravating factors, such as criminal assault committed with intent or causing serious bodily injury, especially with the use of a dangerous weapon, or a criminal assault accompanied by commission or the intent to commit a felony.
  
a.k.a.  
Abbreviation for "also known as".  
When someone uses different initials, a nickname, a maiden or married name.  
For example, Harold G. Hoskins, a.k.a. Harold Hoskins, a.k.a. H. G. Hoskins, a.k.a. Harry Hoskins
  
Arrest Warrant  
A warrant issued to a law enforcement officer ordering the officer to arrest and bring the person named in the warrant before the court or a magistrate.
  
Arson  
The felony crime of intentionally causing a fire or explosion, destroying or causing damage to a building or property.
  
Assault  
The crime or tort of threatening or attempting to inflict immediate physical or bodily harm or, that puts the victim in fear of such harm or contact.

Assault and Battery  
Combination of the two crimes of threat (assault) and physical harm (battery). Both are also intentional civil wrongs for which the injured party may file a suit for damages.

Assault with Intent  
A criminal assault committed with the intent to commit another specific crime.

Attempt  
To actually try to commit a crime and have the ability to do so. This means more than just thinking about committing a crime or planning to do so. It also requires opportunity and ability.
  
Battery  
A beating, or wrongful physical violence.  
The threat to use force is an assault, the act is battery, which usually includes an assault.
  
Bench  
The seat occupied by the judge or more broadly the court itself.  

Bench Warrant  
An order issued by a judge for an arrest.  

Brandish  
To wave or flourish a weapon menacingly.  
  
Burglary  
The crime of breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime.  

Civil Assault  
An assault considered a tort, rather than a crime.  
See criminal assault.  

Concurrent Sentences  
Sentences on different charges to be served simultaneously. Concurrent Sentences are often imposed so that if the defendant obtains a reversal of conviction on one or more counts, but less than all, it will not affect the length of time spent in prison.
  
Consecutive Sentences  
Successive Sentences, one beginning at the expiration of another, imposed against a person convicted of two or more violations.
  
Convict  
To prove or officially declare someone guilty of an offense, especially in connection with a trial.  
  
Controlled Substance  
A drug whose addicting, intoxicating, or mood altering qualities have led Congress and State Legislatures to make its production, possession, importation, and distribution for all but very limited purposes a crime including but not limited to: narcotics, amphetamines, barbiturates, tranquilizers, hallucinogens and marijuana.

Criminal Assault  
An assault considered a crime rather than a tort.  
See civil assault.  
An assault may be both criminal and civil.
  
Dismissal  
An order or judgment in favor of the defendant, thereby throwing a case out of court without completing a trial.
  
Disposition  
The defendant's sentence.  
  
Drug Paraphernalia  
Equipment employed in manufacturing, using or concealing a controlled substance.  
  
D. U. I.  
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  
  
D. W. I.  
Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.  
  
Felonious Assault  
A criminal assault is classified as a felony when it involves the infliction of serious bodily injury by use of a dangerous weapon.
  
Felony  
A serious crime for which the punishment exceeds one year in prison.  
  
File  
To place a paper in the official custody of the clerk of court/court administrator to enter into the files or records of a case.
  
Grand Theft  
Theft of property whose value exceeds a certain amount or of property of a type regarded as especially serious, such as an automobile, a gun, or a stop sign.  Grand Theft is a felony.
  
Guilty  
Adjudged by a court to have committed an offense, either on the basis of a finding or verdict at trial, or because the defendant admitted or did not contest the charge.
  
Indecent Assault  
Intentional offensive sexual contact that is committed without consent of the victim and without the intent to commit rape.
  
Larceny  
Obtaining property by fraud or deceit.  
  
Minor  
A person who has not yet reached the age of majority.  
  
Misdemeanor  
A crime less serious than a felony, usually one punishable by incarceration for up to one year.  In some states misdemeanors include some offenses punishable only by a fine.
  
Nolle Prosequi  
The formal abandonment of a criminal charge by the prosecuting attorney, noted in the record.  In speaking and often in writing, this phrase is often shortened to nolle, nol pros. or nolle prossed.  Under certain circumstances, the defendant can be reindicted on the same charge.
  
Nolo Contendere  
"I will not contest" A criminal charge permitted in the federal courts and in many states (subject to the judge's consent), whereby the defendant states that he will not contest the charge.  The result on such a plea is a conviction on the charge, and for sentencing purposed it is the same as a guilty plea, however it may not be used in a subsequent civil case as proof of guilt.
  
Obstructing Justice  
The crime of attempting to impede or prevent the administration of justice, as by concealing or falsifying evidence, or by bribing, threatening or otherwise attempting to influence witnesses, jurors or court officials improperly.  The term is sometimes extended to acts that impede police or other law enforcement activities.  The exact terminology and classification scheme for such offenses varies from state to state.
  
Offense  
Any crime or other violation of law for which a penalty is prescribed.  
  
Ordinance Violation  
Violation of a municipal law, a law adopted by a city, town, county, or other local government with respect to a matter permitted by the state to be regulated at the local level.
  
Parole  
Release of a convicted criminal from jail or prison after servicing part of a sentence, on the condition that he stay out of trouble with the law and comply with other requirements such as meeting regularly with a parole officer.
  
Petit Theft  
Theft of property whose value is below a certain amount. Petit theft, as a first offense and in the absence of aggravating circumstances is a misdemeanor.
  
Possession of a Controlled Substance  
Having illegal drugs on your person or in your custody.  
  
Probation  
A sentence allowing a convicted criminal to remain free instead of going to jail or prison, or to go free after serving a brief period of confinement, provided that certain conditions are met.  If the conditions of probation are violated, probation can be revoked and the probationer sent to prison.
  
Record, criminal
An individual's history of arrests and convictions on one or more criminal charges.  A written summary of such history.
  
Restitution  
In criminal law, giving back ill-gotten gains or paying for property damage as part of one's sentence, as a condition of probation, or as part of a plea bargain.
  
Sentence  
Punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.  
  
Simple Assault  
A criminal assault that is not accompanied by any aggravating factors, such as infliction of serious injury or use of a dangerous weapon. Simple assault is usually classified as a misdemeanor.
  
Tort  
A wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, that results in injury to another's person, property, reputation or some other legally protected right or interest, and for which the injured party is entitled to damages.
  
Trespass  
A willful act or active negligence, as distinguished from a mere omission of a duty, that causes an injury to or invasion of the person, rights, or especially property.  The common law form of action for redress of injuries directly caused by such a wrongful act.
  
Trial  
Procedure by which evidence is presented in court under the supervision of a judge and the factual issues in a case are presented and decided.
  
Underage  
Describing a person who has not yet reached the minimum age set by law for a specified activity, such as consumption of alcohol, etc.
  
Warrant  
A formal document, usually issued by a court, authorizing or directing an official to take specific action.
  
Weapon  
Anything designed or used to cause bodily injury. A concealed weapon is carried in such a way as not to be obvious.  
A deadly, dangerous or lethal weapon is anything which, either by design or by the way it is wielded in a particular case, caused death or serious injury.

Epic  Concepts LLC
502.454.4473   1.800.870.4163
PO box 436054
Louisville  KY 40253

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