law and justice Unit 3
Arrest -✔✔seize (someone) by legal authority and take into custody.
Probable Cause -✔✔reasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing a charge, etc.). n. sufficient
reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been committed or that certain property is
connected with a crime. Probable cause must exist for a law enforcement officer to make an arrest
without a warrant, search without a warrant, or seize property in the belief the items were evidence
of a crime.
Reasonable Suspicion -✔✔Reasonable suspicion is a standard used in criminal procedure. It is looser
than probable cause. Reasonable suspicion is sufficient to justify brief stops and detentions, but not
enough to justify a full search.
Arraignment -✔✔arraigning someone in court -A criminal proceeding at which the defendant is
officially called before a court of competent jurisdiction, informed of the offense charged in the
complaint, information, indictment, or other charging document, and asked to enter a plea of guilty,
not guilty, or as otherwise permitted by law. Depending on the jurisdiction, arraignment may also be
the proceeding at which the court determines whether to set bail for the defendant or release the
defendant on his or her own recognizance.
indictment -✔✔a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime. the act of officially charging
someone with a crime : the act of indicting someone.
mistrial -✔✔a trial rendered invalid through an error in the proceedings.- an inconclusive trial, such
as one in which the jury cannot agree on a verdict.
Aggravating Circumstance -✔✔Factors that increases the severity or culpability of a criminal act,
including, but not limited to, heinousness of the crime, lack of remorse, and prior conviction of
another crime. Recognition of particular aggravating circumstances varies by jurisdiction.
Mitigating Circumstance -✔✔that may be considered by a court in determining culpability of a
defendant or the extent of damages to be awarded to a plaintiff. Mitigating circumstances do not
justify or excuse an offense but may reduce the severity of a charge. (lowers penalty)
Arrest -✔✔seize (someone) by legal authority and take into custody.
Probable Cause -✔✔reasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing a charge, etc.). n. sufficient
reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been committed or that certain property is
connected with a crime. Probable cause must exist for a law enforcement officer to make an arrest
without a warrant, search without a warrant, or seize property in the belief the items were evidence
of a crime.
Reasonable Suspicion -✔✔Reasonable suspicion is a standard used in criminal procedure. It is looser
than probable cause. Reasonable suspicion is sufficient to justify brief stops and detentions, but not
enough to justify a full search.
Arraignment -✔✔arraigning someone in court -A criminal proceeding at which the defendant is
officially called before a court of competent jurisdiction, informed of the offense charged in the
complaint, information, indictment, or other charging document, and asked to enter a plea of guilty,
not guilty, or as otherwise permitted by law. Depending on the jurisdiction, arraignment may also be
the proceeding at which the court determines whether to set bail for the defendant or release the
defendant on his or her own recognizance.
indictment -✔✔a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime. the act of officially charging
someone with a crime : the act of indicting someone.
mistrial -✔✔a trial rendered invalid through an error in the proceedings.- an inconclusive trial, such
as one in which the jury cannot agree on a verdict.
Aggravating Circumstance -✔✔Factors that increases the severity or culpability of a criminal act,
including, but not limited to, heinousness of the crime, lack of remorse, and prior conviction of
another crime. Recognition of particular aggravating circumstances varies by jurisdiction.
Mitigating Circumstance -✔✔that may be considered by a court in determining culpability of a
defendant or the extent of damages to be awarded to a plaintiff. Mitigating circumstances do not
justify or excuse an offense but may reduce the severity of a charge. (lowers penalty)
