Law Dictionary

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A-B  C  D-E  F  G-H  I  J-O  P-U  V-Z

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A

Arraignment – An initial hearing in a criminal prosecution in which the court informs the defendant of pending charges and takes care of preliminary matters.

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C

Complaint – A formal charging document in a criminal prosecution. It is a written, signed statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. See Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, Subd. 1. The facts must establish probable cause and a judicial officer must determine based on these facts whether probable cause exists.

Conspiracy – An agreement between two or more people to engage in or commit an illegal act. A conspiracy often involves people with varying levels of culpability.

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D

DWI/DUI – Interchangeable term for a driving while impaired prosecution. DWI stands for driving while impaired. DUI stands for driving under the influence. Minnesota law provides for prosecution based on evidence of impairment or as a result of a chemical test result of .08 or more.

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F

Federal – There are different levels of jurisdiction throughout the United States. The term “federal” refers to matters of national governance and law.

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G

Grand Jury – A random selection of citizens convened to hear evidence presented by the government in secret for the purpose of obtaining an Indictment. A grand jury can be convened for a period of time to hear evidence on more than one occasion and against more than one defendant.

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I

Implied Consent – Minnesota law states that by virtue of operating a motor vehicle on public roadways, a person impliedly consents to submitting to a chemical test if arrested for suspicion of DWI/DUI. The term also refers in general to the legal process of driver’s license revocation if the chemical test result is .08 or more.

Indictment – A formal charging document based on a finding of probable cause by a grand jury. It contains a written statement of the essential facts for the offense charged and is signed by the foreperson of the grand jury. See Minn. R. Crim. P. 17.02, Subd. 2 and 3.

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J

Jurisdiction – The general legal authority bestowed on a court to hear cases in a defined geographic area or with regard to particular legal issues. Jurisdiction can overlap beginning with local municipalities, county government, state government, and federal government.

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P

Probation – A sentencing provision that allows a person to avoid a jail sentence in exchange for fulfilling certain requirements during the probation time period.

Prosecutor – The lawyer for the government responsible for representing the government’s interest in a criminal prosecution.

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V

Voir Dire – The stage early in a jury trial where the lawyers for the parties question the potential jurors with regard to their ability to serve on the jury. It is the only time during a jury trial when the lawyers can interact directly with potential jurors.