Going through a criminal trial can be a very stressful and frightening process. It can also be confusing trying to figure out what the court documents and legal arguments mean without understanding at least some basic terminology. So, here’s a glossary of legal terms used in the U.S. federal and Idaho state courts to help you during the legal process.
Glossary of Criminal Legal Terms in Idaho
This glossary of legal terms and meanings used in the Idaho judicial system is provided by Sawtooth Defense Lawyers to help you in your communications regarding your case during the trial process:
Abuse: Hurting someone with physical actions or words.
Accessory: Helping someone carry out a crime, whether at the crime scene or elsewhere, for example, helping cover up a crime.
Acquittal: A finding of not guilty by a jury or judge regarding the defendant in a criminal trial.
Admissible: Evidence that the court determines is acceptable for submission in a trial.
Adversary proceeding: A lawsuit brought separately from a bankruptcy case but in relation to it.
Affidavit: A voluntary written statement under oath submitted by someone as evidence to be used in a court case.
Affirmative Defense: The presentation by the defense team of an opposing set of facts that show why the case asserted by the plaintiff, even if true, is insufficient to charge the defendant with a crime or that, in case of conviction, the punishment should be reduced.
Aggravated Assault: Attacking a person either carelessly or intentionally using a dangerous weapon that causes the victim a serious physical injury.
Aid and Abet: To help a person commit a crime, even though not by physical actions. Verbal involvement, such as encouraging the person to commit the crime.
Alibi: A witness’s claim or other evidence that a defendant could not have committed the crime in question because he/she was at a different location at the time the offense occurred.
Assault: Attempting to physically injure someone else, for example, trying unsuccessfully to hit and harm a person.
Battery: Intentionally physically harmful action against someone, such as unwanted touching of clothing, spitting on the victim, hitting someone, etc.
Domestic Violence: Physical violence perpetrated against a family or household member.
Enticing of Children: Attempting to persuade, by words or actions, a child under the age of 16 to leave home or school, enter a building or vehicle, or obscure area, with intent to conceal the child from public view without a lawful relationship with the child that allows such an action.
Felony: A level of criminal offense that is more extreme than lesser crimes, called misdemeanors, and with more severe penalties.
Human Trafficking: Recruiting, transporting, or obtaining a human being for sexual services or labor, through coercion, force, or fraud to subject the victim(s) to servitude, slavery, or debt bondage.
Protective Order: A protection order is issued when a judge determines that there is an imminent danger of domestic violence.
Rape: Penetrating the opening of the vagina, anus, or mouth of the victim by the perpetrator with a penis.
Sexual Abuse: The act of causing a child to become engaged in sexual activity either by coercing, exerting authority, luring, or persuading the victim.
Sexual Assault: Any unwanted sexual contact that happens without the victim’s voluntary and positive consent.
Sawtooth Defense Lawyers, Legal Information in Idaho
We are a leading group of northwest U.S. criminal defense lawyers. Sawtooth lawyers have extensive experience in sex crime cases. We help our clients make the most informed decisions possible to help protect their future. Depending on the situation, our team can often get charges substantially reduced and sometimes dropped.
