ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility
American Bar Association standards of behavior, which are voluntary and intended as self-regulating for lawyer conduct in the courtroom and between lawyers and clients.
acceptance of responsibility
A genuine admission or acknowledgment of wrong doing.
In federal presentence investigation reports, for example, convicted offenders may write an explanation and apology for the crime(s) they committed
A provision that may be considered in deciding whether leniency should be extended to offenders during the sentencing phase of their processing.
accused
1. A person alleged to have committed a crime.
2. The defendant in any criminal action.
acquittal
Any judgment by a court, considering a jury verdict or a judicial determination of the factual basis for criminal charges, where the defendant is declared not guilty of an offense, or offenses, that have been alleged.
action, actions at law
A court proceeding; either civil, to enforce a right, or criminal, to punish an offender.
Court litigation where opposing parties litigate an issue involving an alleged wrongdoing which may be for the protection of a right or for the prevention of a wrong.
actus reus (AK tuhs RI yuhs)
One component of a crime or any overt act that accompanies the intent to commit a crime; such as, pulling out a pistol in front of a convenience store clerk while robbing the store is an
actus reus or an overt act.
Drawing plans of a bank floor layout while conspiring to rob the bank would be an overt act in furtherance of the criminal conspiracy.
adjudication
Legal resolution of a dispute.
When a juvenile is declared delinquent or a status offender, the matter has been resolved; when an offender has been convicted or acquitted, the matter at issue (guilt or innocence) has been concluded by either a judge or a jury.
adjudication hearing
A formal proceeding involving a prosecuting attorney and a defense attorney where evidence is presented and a juvenile's status or condition is determined by the juvenile court judge.
administrative law
The body of laws, rules, orders, and regulations created by an administrative agency.
Administrative Office of United States Courts
Organization that hires federal probation officers to supervise federal offenders.
Also supervises pretrial divertees; probation officers prepare presentence investigation reports about offenders at the request of a district judge.
admissible
An evidentiary term designating testimony or physical evidence that may be presented to the finders of fact (juries or judges) in criminal proceedings.
Restrictions and conditions are usually articulated in federal and state rules of evidence.
admit
A plea of guilty, an acknowledgment of culpability, accuracy of the facts alleged in either an adult or juvenile proceeding.
adversarial proceedings
Opponent-driven court litigation, where one side opposes the other; prosecution seeks to convict or find defendants guilty, while defense counsel seeks to defend their clients and seek their acquittal.
adversary system
A legal system involving a contest between two opposing parties under a judge who is an impartial arbiter.
affiant
Someone who makes an affidavit.
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