Criminal Defense Terms and Definitions

Battery Actual physical violence, whether serious or minor, inflicted on a person. (A mere threat is called assault, whereas the completed act is called battery) Fraud An intentional perversion of truth; deceitful practice or device resorted to with intent to deprive another of property or other right. Manslaughter A person recklessly causes the death of another, or acting under extreme emotional disturbance, causes the death of another, or acting under circumstances when a person reasonably believes the circumstances provide a legal justification or excuse for his conduct constitutes manslaughter. Subpoena An official order to appear in court (or at a deposition) at a specific time. Failure to obey a subpoena to appear in court is punishable as a contempt of court. Restitution Court-ordered payment to restore goods or money to the victim of a crime by the offender. Felony A felony is a major crime for which the maximum imprisonment is more than one year in a state correctional institution. The court may also impose a fine. Felonies are classified into four categories: capital, 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree Accessory A person who assists in the commission of a crime, either before or after the fact. Search warrant An order issued by a judge or magistrate commanding a sheriff, constable, or other officer to search a specified location. Burglary The unlawful breaking into or entering of a building or dwelling with the intent to commit a serious crime or theft. Assault A willful attempt to illegally inflict injury on or threaten a person.

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	Did You Know?
	Res Ipsa Loquitur - Literally, "a thing that speaks for itself." In tort law, the doctrine which holds a defendant guilty of negligence without an actual showing that he or she was negligent. Its use is limited in theory to cases in which the cause of the plaintiff's injury was entirely under the control of the defendant, and the injury presumably could have been caused only by negligence.