Criminal Defense Terms and Definitions

Fourth Amendment The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects every person against unreasonable search and seizure by government officials. Assault A willful attempt to illegally inflict injury on or threaten a person. Fraud An intentional perversion of truth; deceitful practice or device resorted to with intent to deprive another of property or other right. Bench warrant An order issued by the court for the arrest of a person Battery Actual physical violence, whether serious or minor, inflicted on a person. (A mere threat is called assault, whereas the completed act is called battery) 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. Misdemeanor A minor offense, lower than a felony, which is punishable by a county jail term of up to one year and/or a fine, but not prison. Misdemeanors are classified into three categories: Class A, B, and C. Burglary The unlawful breaking into or entering of a building or dwelling with the intent to commit a serious crime or theft. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Methods of resolving disputes outside of official court proceedings. These methods include mediation arbitration, and conciliation. Admissible evidence Evidence which can legally and properly be used in court.

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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.