Criminal Defense Terms and Definitions

Allegation The assertion, declaration, or statement of a party to an action, made in a pleading, establishing what the party expects to prove. Fourth Amendment The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects every person against unreasonable search and seizure by government officials. Tort An injury or wrong committed, either with or without force, to the person or property of another, for which civil liability may be imposed. Fraud An intentional perversion of truth; deceitful practice or device resorted to with intent to deprive another of property or other right. Admissible evidence Evidence which can legally and properly be used in court. Fourteenth Amendment Among other matters, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without adequate due process. Bench warrant An order issued by the court for the arrest of a person Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Methods of resolving disputes outside of official court proceedings. These methods include mediation arbitration, and conciliation. Abstract of record A short, abbreviated form of the case as found in the record. Accessory A person who assists in the commission of a crime, either before or after the fact.

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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.