Computer Arts and Technological College, inc.

Balintawak St., Old Albay, Legazpi City

Terminologies
in
Criminology
Submitted by:
Veloso, Elizabeth O.

Submitted to:
Mrs. Ivy M. Ocharan
Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation

1. Investigation - it is an inquiry, judicial or otherwise for the discovery and

collection of facts concerning the matters involved. It is the process of
inquiring, eliciting, soliciting and getting vital information, facts, circumstances
in order to establish the truth.
2. Criminal Investigator - a public safety officer who is tasked to conduct the
investigation of all criminal cases as provided for and embodied under the
revised penal code, criminals laws and special laws which are criminal in
nature.
3. Custodial Investigation - investigation conducted by law enforcement
officers after a person has been arrested or deprived of his freedom of action.
4. Neighborhood Investigation - one of the most crucial steps in kidnap for
ransom cases which is often overlooked. The objective is to identify and
interview in person all individuals in the area where the victim was kidnapped
or last known sighting area during the window of opportunity.(last time seen
until the time discovered missing.
5. Crime scene - a venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has
been committed.
6. Corpus delicti - (latin for the body of the crime) - used to describe the
physical or material evidence that a crime has been committed. ex. corpse of
a murder victim.
7. Confession - is an express acknowledgement by the accused in a criminal
prosecution of the truth of his guilt as to the offense charge.
8. Admission - refers to a statement of facts not directly constituting an
acknowledgement of guilt.
9. Organized criminal group - a structured group of three or more persons
existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing
one or more serious crimes or offenses.
10. Organized crime - a combination of two or more persons who are engaged in
a criminal or virtual criminal activity on a continuing basis for the purpose of
profit or power using gangland style to attain their purpose.
11. Physical evidence - evidenced addressed to the senses of the court that are
capable of being exhibited, examined or viewed by the court. This includes but
not limited to fingerprints, body fluid, explosives, hazardous chemicals,
soil/burned debris, bombs, electronic parts used in the commission of the
crime.
12. Victimology/victim profiling - a detailed account of the victims lifestyle and
personality, assist in determining the nature of the disappearance, the risk
level of the victim and the type of person who could have committed the
crime. Complete information regarding the victims physical description,
normal behavior patterns, the family dynamics and known friends and
acquaintances should be obtained as soon as possible.
13. Miranda vs. Arizona - Ernesto Miranda had confessed to rape and
kidnapping, after two hour interrogation. Because the interrogators failed to
inform Miranda of his right to counsel and remain silent, his conviction was
overturned.
14. Waterboarding - refers to the practice of strapping a suspect to a board with
his or her head lowered, then the face is covered and water is poured over it
causing the suspect to gag and experience the sensation of drowning.
15. Chinese water torture - interrogation technique, repeatedly dripping water on
the forehead of the suspect. The goal is to drive the suspect to near insanity
thereby obtaining a confession.
16. Serial Killer - is someone who murders 3 or more people with "cooling off"
periods in between
17. Police Blotter - is an 18" x 12" logbook with hard bound cover that contains the
daily register of all crime incident reports, official summary of arrests and
other significant events reported in a police station. A separate police blotter
shall be maintained for offenses requiring confidentiality like violence against
women and children and those cases involving a child in conflict with the law
 to protect their privacy pursuant to RA 9262 (anti violence against women and
children act of 2004) and RA 9344 ( juvenile justice and welfare act of 2006).
18. Actus Reus - proof that a criminal act has occurred.
19. Sketch - a rough drawing or painting, often made to assist in making a more
finished picture.
20. Allan Pinkerton - a Scottish american detective who created the Pinkerton
National Detective Agency, the first detective agency in the US.Pinkerton foiled
a plot to assassinate President Lincoln.
21. Rogues Gallery - is a police collection of pictures or photographs of criminals
and suspects kept for identification purposes.A compilation of descriptions,
methods of operation having places and names of criminals and their
associates.
22. Mugshot - is a photographic portrait taken after one is arrested.
23. Information - data gathered by an investigator and other
person including the victim himself and from:
1. public records
2. private records
3. modus operandi file
24. Interview - skillful questioning of witnesses and suspects.
25. Instrumentation - scientific examination of real evidence, application of
instruments and method of physical sciences in detecting crime.
26. Strip method - the area is blocked out in the form of a rectangle. The
searchers (3 people are good) proceed slowly at the same pace along paths
parallel to one side of the rectangle.
27. Double Strip Search Method - modification of the strip search method. The
rectangle is traversed first parallel to the base then parallel to a side.
28. Spiral Search Method - The searchers (3 people are good) follow each other
along the path of a spiral beginning on the outside and spiraling in towards
the center.
29. Zone Search Method - one searcher is assigned to each subdivision of a
quadrant and then each quadrant is cut into another set of quadrants.
30. Wheel Search Method - the area is considered to be approximately circular.
The searchers gather at the center and proceed outward along radii or
 spokes. Procedure is repeated several times depending on the size of the
circle and the number of searchers.
31. Admission - is a voluntary acknowledgment, confession, or concession of the
existence of a fact or the truth of an allegation made by a party to the suit.
32. Associative Evidence - is evidence that ties a suspect to the crime scene, the
victim or some other bit of evidence. Fingerprints, footprints, hair, fibers, blood
and other bodily fluids, knives, bullets, guns, paint, and many other objects and
substances, even soil, can link a suspect to the scene.
33. Bugging - is the act of concealing a miniature microphone in (a room or
telephone) in order to eavesdrop on or record some one's conversations
secretly.
34. Burned - when an investigator has been exposed. The target has become
aware
that he is being watched.
35. Circumstantial Evidence - also known as indirect evidence. It is distinguished
from direct evidence, which, if believed, proves the existence of a particular
relation to a series of facts other than the particular fact sought to be proved.
36. Deposition - in Criminal Investigation,is a formal written statement, made for
example by a witness to a crime or by the perpetrator of a crime.
37. Eavesdropping - is secretly or stealthily listening to the private conversation
of
others without their consent.
38. Ibid - is a latin word, it is the short for ibidem. It means in the same place. It is
the term used to provide an endnote or footnote citation or reference
for a source that was cited in the preceding endnote or footnote.
39. Investigare - is a Latin word which means to track or trace by footprint and to
study or examine closely.
40. Jonathan Wild - was a London underworld figure during the 1600's notable for
operating on both sides of the law, posing as a public-spirited crime fighter
entitled the "Thief-Taker General".He was a thief employed to catch a thief.
41. Loc. Cit. - is a footnote or endnote term used to repeat the title and page
number for a given work (and author).
42. Misdemeanor - a lower level crime, usually punishable by less than one year
in prison.
43. Sit On - conduct a stakeout or stationary surveillance.
44. Tail - to conduct a moving surveillance.
45. Wiretapping - is the practice of connecting a listening device to a telephone
line to monitor conversations secretly.
Classes of Information
46. Regular Sources – records, files from government and non-government
agencies, news items.
47. Cultivated Sources – information gathered upon initiative of the
investigator from informants, vendors, taxicab driver, GRO, and others.
48. Grapevine Sources – these are information coming from the underworld
characters such as prisoners and ex-convicts.
49. Interview– Is a conversation with a purpose, motivated by a desire to obtain
certain information from the person being interviewed as to what was done,
seen, felt, heard, tasted,smell or known.This is the questioning of a person
believed to possess knowledge that is in official interest to the investigator.
50. Interrogation- is a questioning of a person suspected of having
committed an offense or a person who is reluctant to make full disclosure of
information in his possession which is pertinent to the investigation.
51. Custodial Interrogation- is the questioning of a law enforcement officer
on a person under custody and otherwise deprived of his freedom or
liberty.This is the stage in investigation where there is strict observance of the
Miranda Doctrine.
52. Miranda Doctrine- this case which entitled Miranda vs. Arizona, is a US
SupremeCourt Jurisprudence which laid down the constitutional rights of the
accused during custodial investigation. It was incorporated in our 1973
Constitution and later in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.
53. Instrumentation- It is the application of instruments and methods of physical
science to the detection of crimes. In cases where there is no significant
physical evidence to be found, then the use of instrumentation is relatively
unimportant.
54. Extra-Judicial Confession – those made by the suspect during custodial
investigation.
55. Judicial Confession– those made by the accused in open court. The plea of
guilt may be during arraignment or in any stage of the proceedings where the
accused changed his plea of not guilty to guilty.
56. Admission- is a self-incriminatory statement by the subject falling
short of an acknowledgement of guilt. It is an acknowledgement of a fact or
circumstances from which guilt may be inferred. It implicates but does not
incriminate. It is also an acknowledgement that a fact,action or circumstances
are true which strongly infer or directly admit guilt but lacks the detail of the
elements of the crime.
57. Circumstantial Evidence- facts or circumstances from which, either
alone or in connection with other facts, the identity of the person can be
inferred.
58. Motive – is what induces the criminal to act.
59. Intent –is the result or accomplishment of the act.
60. Opportunity –is the physical possibility that the suspect could have
committed the crime.
61. Associative Evidence– these are the pieces of evidence that will link the
suspect to the crime scene. The suspect may leave some clues at the scene
such as weapons,tools, garments or prints.
62. Tracing Evidence – articles which assist the investigator in locating the
criminal.Stolen goods in the possession of the suspect in an example of
tracing evidence.
63. Modus Operandi- is the method of operation by a specific criminal or criminal
syndicate. It is a distinct pattern of how a crime is committed and is
established by a series of crimes under one classification. The modus
operandi of one criminal is distinct and different from the other. It is a criminal
trademark, logo or brand name.
64. Informant- is a person who gives information to the police relevant to a
criminal case about the activities of criminals or syndicates.

TYPES OF INFORMANTS
65. Anonymous informant – do not wish to be identified.
66. Rival elimination informant – to eliminate competition.
67. False informant – reveals information of no consequence or value.
68. Frightened informant – motivated by anxiety.
69. Self-aggrandizing – hangs about the fringes of the criminals.
70. Mercenary informant – gives information for a price.
71. Double crosser informant – to get more information from the police.
72. Woman informant – female associate of the criminals.
73. Legitimate informant – operators of legitimate business establishments.
74. Surveillance - is the secret observation of persons, places,and vehicles for the
purpose of obtaining information concerning the identities or activities of the
subject.
75. Surveillant- is the person who maintains the surveillance or performs the
observation.
76. Subject- the person or place being watched or surveyed.
METHODS OF SHADOWING
77. One man –extremely difficult and should be avoided, if unavoidable keep the
subject inview at all times.
78. Two men – two agents are employed to follow the subject.
79. ABC method – reduces the risk of losing the subject, affords greater security
agent detection.
80. Progressive/Leap from method – poor chances of obtaining good results,
agents are stationed at a fixed point assuming that subject followed the same
general route each day.
81. Combined foot-auto surveillance – employment of surveillance on foot and
agent in an automobile.
82. Undercover Investigation- is a form of investigation in which the investigator
assumes a different and unofficial identity in order to obtain information.
83. Undercover- an investigative technique in which the Agent’s/Investigator’s
office identity is concealed to accomplish an investigative mission.
84. Natural cover- using the individual’s true identity, occupation or profession.c.
Artificial cover- the manufacture of documents, false documents,
passports, or forged documents.
85. Crime Scene Investigation- It is the conduct of processes, more
particularly, the recognition, search, collection,handling, preservation and
 documentation of physical evidence to include the identification and interview
of witnesses and the arrest of suspect/s at the crime scene.
86. SOCO (SCENE OF THE CRIME OPERATION) - Republic Act6975 as Amended by
Republic Act 8551(PNP Law). The former law placed the Philippine National
Police Crime Laboratory as an Operational Support Unit. The Crime Laboratory
established the so-called Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) which is a
field operation. This is now an innovation because the SOCO now gathers all
evidence at the crime scene and takes custody of them, marking and tagging
them which otherwise the duty of the criminal investigator before
MAJOR TYPES OF PICTORIAL VIEWS
87. General View or Long-Range – photograph of the overall scene. Distance:
From the doorway to the room and other corners of the room.
88. Mid-Range ViewDistance - Eight or ten feet from the victim.
89. Close-up View – every physical evidence must be photographed in close-up
view and from different angles.
SPECIFIC KINDS OF SKETCHES
90. Sketch of Locality- give a picture of the scene, the crime and its environs,
including neighboring buildings, roads, etc.
91. Sketch of the Ground- picture of the scene of the crime with its nearest
physical surrounding.
92. Sketch in Details – the immediate scene only.
93. Exploded/ cross projection – gives the clear impression of the scene in
cases where blood stains or bullet holes are found.
TYPES OF MEASUREMENTS
94. Rectangular coordinates method – a sketching method that involves
measuring the distance of an object from two fixed lines at right angles to
each other.
95. Triangulation method – a sketching method that requires measuring the
distance of an object along a straight line from two widely separated fixed
reference points.
96. Baseline method– a sketching method that makes measurements along
from a single reference line, called a baseline, which can be established by
using a length of string, chalk line, or some other convenient means.
 97. Compass point method– a sketching method that requires a protractor or
somemethod of measuring angles between two lines. One point is selected as
the origin and a line extending from the origin becomes an axis from which
the angles can be measured.
98. Cross projection method – a sketching method in which the ceiling appears
to open up like a lid of a hinged box, with the four walls opening
outward.
99. Physical Evidence- these are the articles and materials which are found in
connection with the investigation and which aid in establishing the
identity of the perpetrator or the circumstances under which the
crime was committed or which, in general assist in the prosecution
of criminal. It embraces any object, living or inanimate, solid, liquid, or gas
state.
100. Chain of Custody- It is the number of persons who handled and
possessed the pieces of evidence the moment they were collected, marked
and tagged, up to the time of the final disposition of the case.

Non- Institutional Correction

1. Absconding Petitioner- Person whose application has been given due course
by the court but fails to report to the probation officer of his location cannot be
located.
2. Absolute Pardon- Refers to the total extinction of the criminal liability of the
individual to whom it is granted without any condition. It restores to the
individual his civil and political rights and remits the penalty imposed for the
particular offense of which he was convicted.
3. Amnesty- It is an act of the sovereign power granting oblivion or a general
pardon for a past offense, and is rarely, if ever, exercised in favor of a single
individual, and is usually exerted in behalf of certain classes of persons, who
are subject to trial but have not yet been convicted (Brown vs. Walker, 161 US
602) .
4. Benefit of the Clergy- Church people are exempted from governmental
punishment but are prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the church.
5. Carpeta- Refers to the institutional record of an inmate which consists of his
mittimus or commitment order issued by the Court after conviction, the
 prosecutor’s information and the decisions of the trial court and the appellate
court, if any; certificate of non-appeal, certificate of detention and other
pertinent documents of the case.
6. Client- Refers to a parolee/pardonne who is placed under supervision of a
Probation and Parole Officer
7. Commutation of Sentence- Refers to the reduction of the duration of prison
sentence of a prisoner.
8. Conditional Pardon- Refers to the exemption of an individual, within certain
limits or conditions, from the punishment which the law inflicts for the offense
he had committed resulting in the partial extinction of his criminal liability.
9. Executive Clemency- Under Section 19 Article VII of the Constitution, except in
cases of impeachment or as otherwise provided therein, the President may
grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures,
after conviction by final judgment. Executive clemency rests exclusively within
the sound discretion of the President, and is exercised with the objective of
preventing a miscarriage of justice or correcting a manifest injustice.
10. Infraction Report- Refers to the report submitted by the Probation and Parole
Officer on violations committed by a parolee/pardonne of the conditions of his
release on parole or conditional pardon while under supervision.
11. National Prisoner- One who is sentenced to a maximum term of
imprisonment of more than three (3) years or to a fine of more than five (5)
thousand pesos; or regardless of the length of sentence imposed by the Court,
to one sentenced for violation of the customs law or other laws within the
jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs or enforceable by it, or to one sentenced
to serve two (2) or more prison sentences in the aggregate exceeding the
period of three (3) years.
12. Non- Institutional Corrections- Refers to the use of a variety of officially
ordered program based sanctions that permit convicted offenders to remain
in the community under supervision as an alternative to active imprisonment.
13. Pardonee- Refers to a prisoner who is released on conditional pardon
14. Parole- The conditional release of an offender from a penal or correctional
institution after he has served the minimum period of his prison sentence
under the continued custody of the State and under conditions that permit his
re-incarceration if he violates a condition for his release.
15. Parole Supervision- Refers to the supervision/surveillance by a Probation and
Parole Officer of a parolee /pardonne.
16. Petitioner- A convicted defendant who files a formal application for
probation.
17. Probation- Disposition under which a defendant after conviction and
sentence, is released subject to conditions imposed by the court and to the
supervision of a probation officer.
18. Probationer- Means a person placed on probation (PD No. 968).
19. Progress Report- Refers to the report submitted by the Probation and Parole
Officer on the conduct of the parolee/pardonee while under supervision.
20. Post-Sentence Investigation/PSI- This is the vehicle used to find out the
petitioner’s legal qualifications and his suitability for probation. It is also used
in establishing the diagnosis for his favorable response to the community-
based and individualized correction program.
21. Recognizance- It “is a mode of securing the release of any person in custody
or detention for the commission of an offense who is unable to post bail due to
abject poverty. The court where the case of such person has been filed shall
allow the release of the accused on recognizance as provided herein, to the
custody of a qualified member of the barangay, city or municipality where the
accused resides” (Section 3, RA No. 10389)
22. Release Document- Refers to the Conditional Pardon/Absolute Pardon issued
by the President of the Philippines to a prisoner or to the “Discharge on Parole”
issued by the Board.
23. Remission- The President may prevent the collection of fines or confiscation
of property.
24. Reprieve- Refers to the deferment of the implementation of the sentence for
an interval of time; it does not annul the sentence but merely postpones or
suspends its execution.
25. Sanctuary- A city or region or church where state agents were forbidden to
enter for purposes of arresting the accused.
26. Summary Report- Refers to the final report submitted by the Probation and
Parole Officer on his supervision of a parolee/pardonee as basis for the latter’s
final release and discharge.
27. Supervision- The continuing relationship between the probationer and the
probation officer.
28. Board of Pardons and Parole - was created pursuant to Act No. 4103, as
amended. It is the intent of the law to uplift and redeem valuable human
material to economic usefulness and to prevent unnecessary and excessive
deprivation of personal liberty.
29. Commutation – refers to the reduction of the duration of prison sentence of a
prisoner.
30. District Jail - is a cluster of small jails, each having a monthly average
population of ten or less inmates, and is located in the vicinity of the court.
31. Provincial Jail - Where the imposable penalty for the crime committed is
more than six months and the same was committed within the municipality,
the offender must serve his or her sentence in the provincial jail which is under
the Office of the Governor.
32. Prison Record - refers to information concerning an inmate's personal
circumstances, the offense he committed, the sentence imposed, the criminal
case number in the trial and appellate courts, the date he commenced
serving his sentence, the date he was received for confinement, the place of
confinement, the date of expiration of the sentence, the number of previous
convictions if any, and his behavior or conduct while in prison.
33. Youth Offender - is defined as a child, minor or youth who is over nine years
but under eighteen years of age at the time of the commission of the offense.
34. Non- Institutional Correction- It refers to correctional activities that may ta"e
place within the community or the method of correcting sentenced offenders
without having to go to prison
35. Abreaction – intense emotional feelings.
36. Accessory Penalties – those that are deemed included in the imposition of
the principal penalties.
37. Admission Summary – it is a written compilation made by the staff regarding
their findings on the prisoner.
38. Adversarial Process – a system of determining guilt in which the state must
prove its case against a defendant who is defended by an advocate.
39. Affliction – distress of mind or body; that which causes continuing anguish or
suffering.
40. Anal Stage – sensual gratification shifts to the excretory function and the
control of the sphincter muscles. According to Freud the sexual gratification, is
focused on the elimination of body wastes it occurs on the second and third
year of life of an individual.
41. Asocial Aggressive – this is the commanding individual who responds with
open hostility or physical or verbal aggression when frustrated.
42. Asocial Passive – this individual pouts and sulks and reacts with passivity
complaining or withdrawing when frustrated.
43. Atavism – it is the reversion of man to his ape like ancestors and states that
an individual could be born with criminal predispositions.
44. Aversive Therapy – the coupling of a previously desirable stimulus with an
extremely painful or undesirable conditioned response, as coupling alcohol
with chemically induced vomiting.
45. Bail – monetary amount for or condition of pretrial release from custody of
law. Or a money payment in return for which a defendant is given freedom
pending trial or appeal.
46. Bail Bond – it is a multi party contract involving the state, the accused will
appear in subsequent proceedings.
47. Baroning – a process by which a prison inmate obtains wealth, influence and
power by means of selling tobacco.
48. Benefit of Clergy – from the 13th to 19th centuries, clemency was shown to
clergy guilty of crimes and extended eventually to any offender who could
read.
49. Bifurcated Process – the separation of the guilt determination process from
the sentence-determination process in the criminal court system.
50. Big School – slang for penitentiary.
51. Black Maria – a van used to transport prisoners, Paddy-wagon.
52. Casework – in correctional work includes the professional services rendered
by professionally trained personnel in the description and social treatment of
offenders.
53. Change Agent – a person or group responsible for helping a client to
undertake planned changes in behavior. Often a professional, outside
consultants.
54. Close Confinement – for those incorrigible prisoners when lighter punishment
has been proven to be ineffectual the use of bartolina or solitary confinement
is justified when foreseen danger to the convict or others apparent.
55. Compurgation – an early practice whereby the accused swears an oath of
innocence backed-up by a group of oath helpers who would attest to his
character and claim of innocence.
56. Contagion – a condition in which prison inmates kept together without any
attempt to divide them the involvement with crime, would transmit to each
other means and techniques to commit further crimes once outside of prison.
57. Courtesy Investigation – investigation conducted by another probation
officer on behalf of the probation officer in the case of the petitioner.
58. Cultural Conformist – this is a juvenile who identifies strongly with his
delinquent peers and who considers himself tough.
59. Cultural Identifier – responds to identification with a deviant value system by
living out his delinquent beliefs.
60. Cultural Shock – a psychological and social disruption experienced by a
person suddenly placed in an unfamiliar culture.
61. Cumulative Case Summary – starts from the admission report of individual
inmates to his behavior and response to treatment programs and serves as
the basis in granting parole.
62. Curfew – imposition on people the obligation to remove themselves from the
streets on or before a certain time of night.
63. Dark Figure – the number of crimes committed that are unreported to police.
64. Definite Sentence – a sentence to prison for which the date of release is
known on the day that the sentence is rendered
65. Desensitization – the process of removing the anxiety inducing qualities of a
feared object or situation.
66. Diversification – penal system’s implementation of segregation.
67. Domain Conflict – conflicts over resources, mission, responsibilities, or
markets among several organizations.
68. Ex Gratia – state is acting and out of its benevolence.
69. Existentialism – is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of man's
existence and self-determinative faculty and the meaning that life has for
him.
70. Flat Term – prison term which there is no discretionary release date. Similar to
a definite sentence.
71. Furlough – temporary release from jail or prison. Typically for a day, weekend,
or holiday or for special visits such as a job test or interview or family crises,
often part of a prerelease program.
72. Gate Fever – the feeling of an immediate release from the penitentiary and
the feeling of uncertainty on the part of the supposed parolee at the ebb of his
release to the community.
73. Gemeinschaft Pattern – is characterized by persons of homogeneous
attributes similar to those providing for mechanical solidarity.
74. Gesellshaft Configuration – is characterized by persons having
heterogeneous attributes, interact with each other in an impersonal manner
and do not associate the welfare of the group with their own.
75. Golden Age of Penology – the period covering 1870 to 1880 was regarded as
the Golden Age of Penology.
76. Greyhound Operations – a method in searching the prisoner for possession of
contrabands inside the prisoner cells and compound.
77. Idleness – the most persistent problem in almost all prison facilities which
contribute to failure of the reformation programs.
78. I- Level Theory – hypothesis which associates types of deviance and types of
control with stages in the life cycle.
79. Indefinite Sentence – is a sentence to prison in which release date is under
the discretionary control of a release board.
80. Indeterminate Sentence – a sentence of imprisonment for the maximum
period defined by law subject to the termination by the parole board at any
time after service of the minimum period. It is one with minimum and
maximum periods of imprisonment.
81. Indictment – formal charging of a defendant by a grand jury.
82. Judean Christian Theory – emphasized that punishment has a redemptive
purpose.
83. Kangaroo Courts – existence of other discredited methods of discipline.
84. Labeling Theory – a theory originating with Howard Becker that emphasized
the self-fulfilling prophecy in deviance processing that deviants behave in
accordance with the labels they are given in the judgmental process.
85. M’naghten Case – basis for exempting law violators from their criminal
liability by reason of insanity.
86. Mandatory Release – a release from prison required by statute where an
inmate has been confined for a time period equal to his or her full sentence.
87. Manipulative Technique – are ways of helping the parolee by altering his
environmental conditions to bring out satisfactory social adjustment in the
individual.
88. Medium Supervision – given to probationer’s needing moderate attention
and requiring twice a month office reporting. Use the yellow plan card tab.
89. Minimum Supervision – probationer’s needing minimal attention and
requiring not more than once a month office reporting. Use a green plan card.
90. Negative Reinforcement – the employment of a negative stimulus (such as
punishment or removal of reward) for undesirable behavior rather than
rewarding desired behavior.
91. Ordeal – based on the principle of divine intervention it is a method of
determining guilt with the belief that innocent persons would be protected
from harm.
92. Pacta Sunt Servanda – a pact must be observed and a treaty must be
honored.
93. Probos Efficias Discipline – it is insufficient to restrain the wicked by punishing
unless you render them virtuous by corrective discipline.
94. Passive Agent – a term used by Glaser to represent parole officers who have
a low emphasis on both assistance and control of parolees.
95. Pecuniary Liabilities – it consists of the reparation of the damage caused,
indemnification of the consequential damages, fine and cost of proceedings;
imposed upon persons who are criminally liable.�
96. Penal Management - Refers to the manner or practice of managing or
controlling places of confinement as in jails or prisons.
97. PENOLOGY - the study of punishment for crime or of criminal offenders. It
includes the study of control and prevention of crime through punishment of
criminal offenders.The term is derived from the Latin word “POENA” which
means pain or suffering.
98. Positive Discipline – includes the work “discipline” in you, it is not basically
punitive.
 99. Proselytizing – to convert or induce another to change his religious belief, sect
or the like to another.
100. RA 10575 – the New BUCOR Act of 2013

Introduction to Criminology
1. CRIMINOLOGY - It is the entire body of knowledge regarding crimes, criminals
and the efforts of the society to prevent and suppress them. It is also a study
of crime as a social phenomenon. It includes within its scope the making of
laws, the breaking of law and the reactions towards the breaking of laws.
CRIMINOLOGY is a body of knowledge regarding crime as a social
phenomenon. It is also defined as a multidisciplinary study of crimes.
2. PAUL TOPINARD - He was the Anthropologist who introduced the word
criminology, sometime in 1889. He derived it from theLatin word ―crimen,
which can be translated to offense.
3. R.A. 6506 - An act that created the Board of Criminologists of the Philippines
and for other purposes. It took effect on July1, 1972.
4. CRIMINOGENIC PROCESSES- explain human behavior and the experiences
which help the nature of a persons' personality as a reaching mechanism.
Factors and experiences in connection thereto infringe differently upon
different personalities producing conflict which is the aspect of crime.
5. CRIMINAL PSYCHODYNAMICS- study of the mental process of criminals in
action.
6. DEMENTIA PRAECOX- a collective term of mental disorder that begins shortly
after puberty and leads to general failure of the mental faculties with the
corresponding physiological impairment.
7. Delusion- a false belief about self caused by morbidity, paranoia and
dementia praecox.
8. EROTOMANIA -a morbid propensity to love or make love;uncontrollable
sexual desire by members of either sex.
9. EPISODIC CRIMINAL- a non criminal person who commits crime when under
emotional stress.
10. LOGOMACY- a statement that we would have no crime if we have no criminal
law and that we can eliminate crimes by merely abolishing criminal law.
11. KLEPTOMANIAC- an uncontrollable morbid propensity to steal.He is
pathological stealer.
12. Masochism-a condition of sexualperversion in which a person derives
pleasure from being dominated or cruelly treated.
13. MELANCHOLIA- a mental disorder characterized by excessive brooding and
depression of spirits. Megalomania- a mental disorder in which the subject
thinks himself as great or exalted.
14. ANTHROPOLOGY- science devoted to the study of mankind and its
development in relation to its physical, mental and cultural history.
15. CRIMINALISTICS - the sum total application of all science in crime detection.
16. CRIMINALIST - a person who is trained in the science of application of
instruments and methods to the detection of crime.
17. CRIME- An act committed or omitted in violation of a law,forbidding or
commanding it. It is a generic term for offense,felony and delinquency.
18. DELINQUENCY - An act or omission that violates simple rules and regulations,
punishable by a short period of imprisonment for a small fine.
19. FELONY - An act or omission punishable by the revised penal code.
20. OFFENSE - is an act or omission punishable by special law.
21. MISDEMEANOR - is act or omission in violation of city or municipality
ordinances
22. DEVIANT BEHAVIOR - refers to a behavior which is outside the range of
normal societal toleration
23. Sociology (Sociological Criminology) - The study of crime that is focused on a
group of people and the society as a whole.
24. Psychology- (Psychological Criminology) - Deals with the study of behavior
and mental processes of criminals.3 Psychiatry
25. Psychiatric Criminology - A science that deals with the study of
criminal behavior in terms of motives and drives.
26. Anthropology (Anthropological Criminology) - Deals with the study of
mankind, particularly, the culture and physical features of distinctive
groups of people.
27. Physiology (Physiological Criminology) - Studies function of various
organs of the body, in relation to the behavior of a particular person.
28. Criminal Ecology — study of criminality in relation to special distribution in a
community.
29. Criminal Epidemiology- study of the relationship between environment and
criminality.
30. Criminal Physical Anthropology — study of criminality in relation
between mind and behavior of a criminal.
31. Criminological research — study of crime correlated with antecedent
variables, state of crime trend.
32. Victimology — study of the role of the victim of crime.
33. Criminological Theories — study of the different theories as the genesis of
criminal behavior.
34. TRIAD OF CRIME- The so called triad of crime consists of desire,
capability and opportunity. These are the factors which led to the
commission of crime.
OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF CRIME
35. Traditional Crime- committed every now and then.
36. Crimes Due to Social Change- poverty crimes ex. Prostitution
37. Emergency Crime- committed to take advantage of an abnormal
situation
38. Victimless Crime- act committed by consenting persons inprivate,
there is no intended victim.
39. Index Crime- act that involves actual physical harm to the victim by
another.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMINAL
40. Acute Criminal- one who commits crime due to fit of passion
41. Chronic Criminal- one who plans the commission of crime ahead of time.
42. Ordinary Criminal- lowest mammal in criminal profession.
43. Professional Criminal- engaged in criminal activities with a high
degree of skill.
44. Active Criminal- commits crime due to aggressiveness.
45. Passive Criminal- commits crime due to reward or promise.
46. Socialized Delinquent- one who lacks proper moral values due to defective
socialization process.
47. Accidental Criminal- one who commits crime when the situation is
conducive.
48. Habitual Criminal- one who commits crime due to lack of self control.
THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION
A. Earliest Theory of Crime Causation
49. Demonological Theory- States that people commit crime because
they are possessed by evil spirits.
50. Trial by Ordeal- Variety of procedures established to determine the
guilt or innocence of an accused.
51. Thucydides- A Greek historian who first wrote theusefulness of death
penalty.
B. Era of Classical Criminology
52. PRE CLASSICAL THEORY - State that the criminal commits a crime because of
supernatural powers or he is possessed by demons or damned by the
underworld forces or otherworldly forces.
53. CLASSICAL THEORY - Classical Theory — founded by Cesar Bacteria
maintains that man is essentially a moral creature with absolutely free will
to choose between good and evil, therefore stress is a place upon
the criminal himself that man is responsible for his act.
54. NEOCLASSICAL THEORY - It asserted that certain categories of offender
such a minor, insane incompetence shall be treated leniently irrespective of
their criminal acts because these People are not capable of knowing what's
right and wrong, they should not be regarded as criminals. children
and lunatics cannot calculate pleasure and pain mitigating
circumstances must be taken into account in imposing penalties.
55. POSITIVE AND ITALIAN THEORY — founded by Lombroso. Thistheory says
that crime is an act as a natural phenomenon and is comparable to a
natural disaster or calamity. That Crime and moral phenomenon cannot be
treated and checked by the imposition of punishment but rather rehabilitation
or the enforcement of individual measures.
Period of Modern Criminology
56. Italian/Positivist Theory- Made emphasis on the scientific treatment
of criminals, not on penalties. Asserted that crime, like any other
 act, is a natural phenomenon and is comparable to disaster or
calamity.This theory promoted the doctrine of determinism.
57. Determinism- States that there are existing situations or circumstances that
interfere in the decision or action of man, thus, he is forced to commit
crime, even without intention of doing it.
Period of Independent Criminology
58. Anomie Theory- Advocated by Emile Durkheim, this theory states that
the absence of norms in the society provides a setting conducive to crime and
other anti-social facts.Durkheim also proposed that crime is a natural thing in
the society and it helps society for changes.
59. Psychoanalytical Theory- Proposed by Sigmund Freud, theFounder of
Psychoanalysis. This theory maintained thatpeople are influenced by
unconscious forces includinginnate sexual and aggressive drives, thus
they commitcrime.
60. Human Ecology Theory- Advocated by Ezra Park, this theory is focused on
the interrelationship of people with the environment. It maintained
that crime is a result of social change that goes along with the
environmental changes.
61. Differential Association Theory- Advocated by EdwinSutherland, the
Dean of Modern Criminology and regarded as the most important
criminologist of the 20th century,this theory maintained that the society
is composed of different groups of people and organization having
criminalistic and anti-criminalistic tradition. It also asserts that criminal
behavior is learned through the process of communication and
socialization and not inherited.
62. Somatotype Theory- Advocated by William Sheldon, this theory
asserts that inheritance is the primary determinant of behavior and
physique is a reliable indicator of personality.
63. Endomorph- predominance of soft, roundness though the regions of
the body, low specific gravity and typically relaxed and comfortable
disposition,extrovert, and has a viscerotonic temperance.
64. Mesomorph- athletic type, predominance of muscle,bone and
connective tissue, normally heavy, hard and firm, smart and tough,
 routinely active and aggressive, characterized by romotonic or
somatotonic temperance and most likely to commit crime.
65. Ectomorph - thin physique, flat chest, slender and poorly muscled,
tend to look more exhausted and withdrawn, introvert and
characterized by cerebrotonic temperament.
66. Id- most primitive part of human personality.
67. Ego- guided by reality principle.
68. Superego- directs people towards morally acceptable behavior.
69. Containment Theory- Advocated by Walter Reckless, this theory
asserts that for every individual, there exist a containing external structure
(blocked opportunities) anda protective internal structure (conscience
and self control), both of which provides defense, protection insulation
against crime and delinquency.
70. Instrumentalist Theory- Advocated by Earl RichardQuinney, this theory
asserts that the state is a device for controlling the exploited class- the
class that labors for the benefit of the ruling class. It asserts that
the upper class creates laws that protect their interest.
71. Social Class Conflict and Capitalism Theory- Advocated byKarl Marx,
Frederick Engel and Willem Bonger, this theory asserts that laws are
created in favor of the ruling class, thus, crime is reflected on the
demoralized remaining population.
72. Strain Theory- advocated by Robert King Merton, this theory
maintained that the failure of man to achieve higher status of life
causes him to commit crime in order to attain such status. It maintained that
people are law abiding, but when under great pressure will resort to
crime.
73. Subculture Theory of Delinquency- Advocated by AlbertCohen, this
theory claimed that the lower class cannot socialize effectively with
the middle and the upper class, thus creating a subculture that rejects
middle and upper class values through a process referred to as
reaction formation. The subculture is called a gang and the kids are called
delinquents.
74. Neutralization Theory- Advocated by Gresham Sykes, this theory
stated that an individual will obey or disobey societal rules,
 depending upon his or her ability to rationalize whether he is
protected from harm or destruction.
75. Differential Opportunity Theory- Advocated by LloydOhlin, this theory
explains that society leads the lower class to want things. It claimed that
there is a differential opportunity or access to success goals by both
legitimate and illegitimate means, depending on the specific location of
the individual within the social structure.
76. Labeling Theory- Advocated by Frank Tennenbaum, EdwinLemert and
Howard Becker, this theory maintained that the original cause of crime cannot
be known, no behavior is intrinsically criminal. Behavior becomes criminal
if it is labeled as such.
77. Theory of Human Evolution- Advocated by Charles Darwin,this theory
claimed that humans, like other animals, are parasites. Man is an
organism having an animalistic behavior that is dependent on other
animals for survival.
78. Labeling Theory- Advocated by Frank Tennenbaum, EdwinLemert and
Howard Becker, this theory maintained that the original cause of crime cannot
be known, no behavior is intrinsically criminal. Behavior becomes criminal
if it is labeled as such.
79. Theory of Human Evolution- Advocated by Charles Darwin,this theory
claimed that humans, like other animals, are parasites. Man is an
organism having an animalistic behavior that is dependent on other
animals for survival.
OTHER THEORIES IN CRIMINOLOGY
80. QUETELET'S THERMIC LAW - Hypothesized that violent crimes
predominate in warmer climates while property crimes are more prevalent in
colder weather zones.
81. HUMAN ECOLOGY - Deals with the relationship between human
organism and physical environment.
82. ECONOMIC THEORY - In Marx’s the emergence of capitalism produce
economic inequality (resulting to the commission of crime) in which
proletariats are exploited by the bourgeoisie.
83. SOCIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY - The most varied in
refuted and developed theory emphasizing the importance of“imitation” in
 crime causation Anomie (Normlessness) - lawlessness where there is
disjunction between means and goals.
84. Social Process Theory - emphasize that the criminality can be considered as
social disorganization or social condition dueto the impact upon human
behavior.
85. Social Control Theories - address the issue of how society maintains
or elicits social control and the manner in which obtain conformity or fails
to obtain it in the form of deviance.
86. Social Disorganization Theory- states that social indicators present in
a society such as large number of single parent households, high
percentage of out of school youth, unemployment problems and
breakdown of social values are the causes of crimes.
87. Cultural Deviance Theory- a theory that views crime as a result of
man’s cultural values that permit or allow crime to happen or even demand
behaviors that will violate the laws.
88. Cultural Transmission Theory- a theory which states that the cause of
crime is the handing down of delinquency behavior as a socially learned
behavior, transmitted from one generation to the next, especially among
depressed and disorganized urban areas.
89. Culture Conflict Theory- states that different groups have different
conduct norms and the conduct norms of one group maybe in conflict with
those of another, causing individual to commit crimes by conforming to
the norms of their own groups which is in conflict with another.
90. Conflict Theory- states that people band together as a group because they
are social animals with needs that are best served through collective
action. It states further that people constantly clash as they try to
advance the interest of their particular group over those of the others.
91. Psychopathic personality - emotionally abnormal but who do not
manifest breaks with reality that characterized psychosis
92. Psychosomatic Person - one whose Behavior is largely amoral and asocial
and who is characterized by their responsibility, lack of remorse or
shame or aggravated by the physics or emotional process of the individual.
93. Alcoholism - when a person is intoxicated, he is almost certain to start a fight.
CLASSES OF DELINQUENTS
 94. Environmental delinquent - occasional law breakers.
95. Ecological approach - this approach concerns itself with the“biotic grouping
of men '' thus resulting from migration competition another will
sometimes create conflict between the immigrant and inhabitant of such
place thus lending to socialdiscrimination.
96. Economic approach - financial hardship is one of primary causes of
criminality therefore; it is necessary of every human being to
contemplate or consider with deep regret and confession the strong
temptation which has frequently for somany years and want necessities to
support life.
97. Sociological and cultural approach - the social in its general sense include
assessment of those forces resulting from man's economic, financial,
education, political, religious as well recreational.
98. DR. CHARLES GORING — English Statistician who studied the case histories of
2,000 convicts and found that heredity is more influential as
determinant criminal behavior than environmental.
99. ALPHONSE BERTILLON — one who originated a system of classifying
criminals according to bodily measurements. Humanskeleton is
unchangeable for the period of 20 years.
100. JEREMY BENTHAM(1823) - he advocated “utilitarian hedonism”or
“Hedonistic Calculus” , the theory that a person is always in such a way
as to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Criminal Justice System

1. Criminal Justice System – is the machinery, which the Philippine Society uses
in the prevention and control of the crime. It is a group of agencies or
legislators responsible for the adjudication of criminal laws.
2. Criminal Justice System Process – it is the decision making point from the
initial investigation or arrest by the Police to the offender and his re-entry to
society.
3. Criminal Justice – is a field of study, which deals with the nature of crime in
the society as well as analyzing the formal processes, and social agencies,
which had been established for crime control.
4. Courts – refers to the body in the government, which is charged with the
responsibility of the administration of justice.
5. Corrections – deals with punishments, treatment, incarceration and
rehabilitation of offenders.
6. Probation – is the disposition under which a defendant, after conviction and
sentence, is released subject to conditions imposed by the court to the
supervision of a probation officer. Or a suspended sentence during good
behavior. (PD 968 – Probation Law of 1976)
7. Complaint – a sworn written accusation charging a person with an offense
subscribed by the offended party and a peace officer or other charge with the
law violated.
8. Information – is an accusation in writing charging a person with an offense
subscribed by the Fiscal and filed with the court.
9. Arrest – it is the taking of a person into custody in order that he may be
forthcoming to answer for the commission of offense.
10. Police Power – the inherent power of the state to enact laws subject to
limitations. (Bill to attainder, Ex-Post Facto Law)
11. Bill of Attainder – inflicting punishment without judicial trial.
12. Ex-post Facto Law – it is a bill punishing acts, which are not punishable at the
time of commission.
13. Bail – Security for the temporary release or liberty of the accused.
14. Arraignment – stage of the proceeding wherein the accused will be informed
about the nature and cause of the accusation against him and ask him guilty
or not guilty for the offense charged.
15. Mittimus – A warrant issued by a court bearing its seal and the signature of
the judge directing the jail or prison authorities to receive the convicted
offender for service of sentence imposed therein.
16. Penology – is the study of reformation and rehabilitation of criminals and the
management of prisons.
17. Affidavit- a sworn statement subscribed and executed before competent
authority.
18. Affiant- refers to a person executing an affidavit.
19. Bar- refers to persons authorized to practice the legal profession duly
admitted to the roles of attorneys of the Supreme Court and a member of the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
20. Bench- refer to the court in general.
21. Case Law- judicial decisions, published precedents which are considered as
fixed body of legal rule.
22. Cleared Crimes- a situation or condition in which the suspect is arrested and
turned over for prosecution. Police term to indicate solved criminal cases.
23. Community- the fifth pillar in the CJS. It refers to the elements that are
mobilized and energized to help the authorities in effectively addressing the
law and order concerned of the citizenry.
24. Contextual Discrimination- a practice in which members of the minority
receives harsher punishments in some instances.
25. Contract Law- law which covers personal agreements.
26. Corrections- is the system of taking care of the custody, treatment and
rehabilitation of all convicted persons or prisoners punished by law for the
commission of an offense.
27. Court- a body of tribunal officially assembled under authority of the law in
which judicial power is vested of the administration of justice is delegated.
28. Crackdown- refers to the focus of police resources on a specific problem
area.
29. Crime Displacement- the effect of crime prevention drives which transfers or
shifts illegal activities to another.
30. Crime Prevention- pertains to all government and non-governmental
activities or programs designed to thwart, deter, preempt, and stop the crime
from happening.
31. Crimes of repression- offenses committed to members of a group who are
being prevented from achieving their fullest potential due to racism, sexism or
other biases.
32. Detention prisoner- a person temporarily detained while his case is pending
in court and awaiting final judgment.
33. Differential social control- an act of labeling that may produce a re-
evaluation of the self, which reflects actual appraisals made by others.
34. Forfeiture- the seizure of personal property by the state as a criminal or civil
penalty.
35. Gateway Model- drug abuse study that asserts that addicts begin with a
more benign drug and later advance to more potent ones.
36. Interdisciplinary science- involves two or more academic fields.
37. Jail- a place of confinement for a person awaiting court action and the
convicted offender serving a short sentence.
38. Judge- a public officer so named in his written evidence of appointment
assigned to preside over and to administer to preside over and to administer
the law in court of justice.
39. Just desert- the viewpoint of justice that asserts that those who violate the
rights of others deserve to be punished.
40. La Cosa Nostra- a syndicate of Italian dominated crime families hw control
crime in distinct geographical areas.
41. Marginalization- the act of displacing workers and punishing them outside
the social and economic mainstream.
42. Moral crusaders- interest groups who seek to crush out behavior that they
see objectionable and offensive.
43. National Anti-Crime Strategy (NACS)- refers to the blueprint for a responsive
and well-suited anti-crime machinery that shall operate its strategic purpose.
44. Peacemaking movement- a branch of conflict theory that stresses
mediation, humanism and conflict determination as a means to end crime.
45. Public order crimes- acts that are deemed illegal because they challenge
accepted moral principles and threaten the general well-being of society.
46. Sentenced prisoner- refers to a person who is convicted by a final judgment.
47. Social altruism- mutual and voluntary support systems that reinforce and
strengthen social and moral obligations.
48. Social harm- an assertion that behaviors harmful to other people and society
must be controlled.
49. Social reality of crime- the analysis that the main purpose of criminology is to
promote a just and peaceful society.
50. Terrorism- an illegal use of threat and force against innocent people to
achieve political objectives.
51. Accused- A person or persons formally charged or implicated in wrongdoing
but not yet convicted of a crime.
52. Acquittal- A legal judgment, based on the decision of either a jury or judge
that a person accused of a crime is not guilty of the charges for
which they have tried.
53. Adjudication- The judicial process that ends a criminal proceeding by a
judgment of acquittal, conviction, or dismissal of a case.
54. Admissible Evidence - Evidence that is relevant and proper for the court’s
consideration.
55. Pre-trial- hearings are often held to allow the judge to make this
determination.
56. Affidavit-A written, sworn statement made under oath, in which the writer
swears that the information stated therein is true.
57. Alford Doctrine-A plea in a criminal case in which the defendant does not
admit guilt, but agrees that the state has enough evidence against him or her
to gain a conviction. This allows the defendant to enter into a
plea bargain with the state. If a judge accepts the Alford plea, the
the defendant will be found guilty of the charged offense.
58. Appeal- A request by either the defendant or prosecutor in a case to have a
higher court review and possibly reverse the decision or sentence of a lower
court.
59. Arraignment-The first court appearance of a person accused of a crime. At
this proceeding, the defendant will hear the charges that have been brought
against him and may enter a plea.
60. Bail/Bond- Money or property required by the court for the release of a
prisoner who must appear in court at a future time.
61. Bench Trial- A trial in which the judge hears the case without a jury and
decides whether the accused is guilty.
62. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt- the degree of proof needed for a judge or jury
to convict a person: accused of a crime.
63. Case Law- Law derived from a collection of reported cases within a certain
area of law in a given jurisdiction.
64. Conditional Discharge-A disposition in criminal cases where the defendant
must satisfy certain court-ordered conditions instead of a prison term.
65. Continuance- A delay or postponement of a court case to another date.
66. Conviction- The act or process of finding someone guilty of a crime.
67. Count- Each separate offense listed in a criminal complaint or an indictment
accusing a person of committing a crime.
68. Crime- A violation of a Connecticut or federal criminal law.
69. Criminal Justice System- The network of institutions through which an
accused offender passes until he is acquitted or convicted, his charges
dismissed, or his punishment ended. The system typically includes three
components: law enforcement, the judicial process, and corrections.
70. Criminal Trial- A judicial proceeding, before a jury or judge, to determine if a
person charged with a crime actually committed that crime.
71. Defendant- A person who is arrested and charged with a crime.
72. Defense Counsel- The lawyer who represents the defendant in a legal
proceeding. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. The Constitution requires that all
people accused of a crime have a right to counsel (a lawyer). The
defense counsel is sometimes called the “defense attorney.”
73. Dismissal- A judge’s decision to end the case, without convicting or
acquitting the defendant.
74. Disposition- The manner in which a case is settled or resolved.
75. Docket- A list of cases scheduled to be heard in court on a specific date.
76. Docket Number- A unique number that the court clerk assigns to each case.
77. Electronic Monitoring- An electronic system that provides the Probation
Officer or Bail Commissioner with reports relative to the offender’s compliance
with restrictions on his or her movement.
78. Enforce- to compel or force obedience to a law, rule, or order.
79. Evidence- Testimony, documents, and objects used to prove a fact in a case.
80. Ex-Parte-Done for, or at the request of, one side in a case only, usually
without prior notice to the other side.
81. Execution Suspended- A prison sentence that is suspended in whole or in part
provided certain conditions of probation or conditional discharge are met by
the defendant.
82. Failure to Appear- Failing to come to court for a scheduled hearing.
83. Family Violence - a person who works with domestic violence victims to
determine
84. Victim Advocate- their needs and inform them of their rights and the
resources available to them.
85. Felony- A crime that is punishable by imprisonment of more than one year.
86. Guardian Ad Litem-A person appointed by the court to represent a minor
child’s best interests in a court case.
87. Guilty-A verdict of a judge or jury that a person accused of committing a
crime did commit it.
88. Habeas Corpus- A court order used to bring a defendant physically before a
court in order to ensure the person’s detention or imprisonment is not illegal.
89. Hearing-A judicial proceeding where a judge may hear argument and
evidence so as to decide issues of law or of fact.
90. Hearsay- Testimony of an individual that is not from his/her personal
knowledge, but from what the witness has heard another person say.
91. Indigent-Someone who the court determines cannot afford to pay certain
fees or the cost of an attorney.
92. Indictment- A formal charging document presented by a grand jury to a
court for prosecution against the defendant.
93. Jury-A panel of citizens who are selected by the prosecution, defense,
and judge and given power to decide questions of fact and power
to decide a defendant’s guilt.
94. Mistrial-A trial that a judge brings to an end, without a determination as to
guilt, because of a procedural error or serious misconduct occurring during
the proceedings.
95. Mittimus Judgment- The formal document prepared by the court clerk to
present a convicted defendant to the Department of Corrections for
incarceration. Also called the “Mitt”.
96. Modification-Request to change a prior court order. Usually requires a
change in circumstances from when the prior order was issued.
97. Motion- An oral or written application made by the prosecution or defense
before, during, or after a trial requesting the court issue a ruling or an order.
98. No Contact Order-A court order that prohibits contact by a defendant with
another person and may be ordered by a judge, a bail commissioner, a
probation officer, or a parole officer.
99. Nolle- Short for nollo prosequi, which means “no prosecution”. A disposition
where the prosecutor agrees to drop the case against the
defendant but keeps the right to reopen the case and prosecute at
any time during the next thirteen months.
100. Nolo Contendre- Means “no contest”. A plea that allows the defendant
to be convicted without admitting guilt for the crime. Although a finding of
guilty is entered on the criminal court record, the
the defendant can deny the charges in a civil action based on the same acts.