Key Terms

• Defendant


  an individual, company, institution sued or accused in a court of law - they have the choice to plea guilty or not guilty
• Prosecution


  the institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge
• Offender


  a person who commits an illegal act - beforehand they are under the label 'defendant', it is only once they either plea guilty or are found guilty the become an 'offender
• Magistrate


  a civil offender who administers the law - think m for minor as they usually conduct minor offences
• Preliminary hearing


  a criminal proceding in which a judge determines whether there is enough evidence to bind for the defendant for trial
• Judge


  a public officer appointed to decide cases in a law court - when a judge decides a sentence, they will consider the aims of the punishment, factors in the case and sentencing guidelines
• Jury


  a body of 12 people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court
• solicitor


  a type of lawyer which is trained to prepare cases and give legal advice and can represent people in lower courts
• Barrister


  a person called to the bar and entitled to practise as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts
• Crown court


  a court which deals with serious offences and appeals from the magistrates court
• magistrates court


  a court which deals with minor offences and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones
• Indictment


  a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime
• Actus Reus


  guilty act
• Mens Rea


  guilty mind, criminal intent