Peace River Victim Services
 

Common Courtroom Terms

Absolute Discharge
The accused, after being found guilty, is discharged without a record of conviction
Accused
The person charged with a crime
Acquittal
A court finding of not guilty
Adjournment
A temporary delay of court proceedings
Affirmation
A non-religious oath given by a witness before testifying, promising that the evidence they offer is to the best of their knowledge, the truth
Appeal
An application for a judicial review by a higher court of a lower court's decision
Appearance Notice
An order that tells the accused to go to court at a specified time to answer charges that have been laid
Bail
Financial or other security put up by the accused or by someone on the accused's behalf as an assurance that the accused will appear in court on the date of trial
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
In criminal cases the Crown has to meet a standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The Crown must show that the evidence is so complete and convincing that the judge/jury has not reasonable doubts about the accused's guilt
Complainant
The victim of an alleged crime
Conditional Discharge
Occurs when the accused, after being found guilty, is discharged under certain conditions ordered by the judge. If the accused complies with the conditions, he or she will not have a criminal record
Conditional Sentence
A sentence that is served by the offender in the community. The offender would remain in the community under supervision and would be required to abide by a number of conditions
Contempt of Court
Interfering with the administration of justice or ignoring the rules of the court
Corroboration
Evidence that supports or confirms other evidence of testimony
Cross Examination
Both the Crown and the Defense counsel have the right to question (cross examine) a witness by the other side
Crown Prosecutor
A government appointed agent who prosecutes criminal offenses on behalf of the Attorney General of Canada. The Crown presents all relevant evidence to the judge or jury that sheds light upon the offense of which the accused is charged
Court of Queen's Bench
Try the most serious criminal and civil cases including cases involving large amounts of money and Family Law including divorce, custody and property settlements
Docket Court
Provincial court of first appearance in which trial dates are set or guilty pleas entered
Election
The procedure by which an accused chooses to be tried by Queen's Bench Judge and Jury, Queen's Bench Judge alone, or by a Provincial Judge
Election by the Crown
Procedure under which the Crown decides whether to prosecute a case as a summary conviction offense (less serious penalty) or as an indictable offense (more serious)
Indictable Offense
A category of criminal offenses that are usually more serious crimes and carry greater maximum sentences. (i.e. Sex assault). It may carry a penalty ranging from a fine to life imprisonment
Intermittent Sentence
A prison term of 90 days or less given to a person convicted of an offense. The time is usually served on a weekend in most cases - which allows the convicted person to continue with his employment
Judicial Interim Release
"JIR" A Court order granted by a judge or Justice Of The Peace releasing the accused from custody on his/her own bond or promise to appear
Legal Aid
Legal services for those who cannot afford to hire counsel and offers different kinds of help depending on your legal problem and where you live in Canada
No Contact Order
A court order preventing the accused from seeing or speaking to someone
Parole
The early release of an offender from incarceration in which he/she serves the remainder of his/her sentence in the community under supervision and specific conditions
Perjury
When a person gives evidence in court that he/she knows is false. Anyone who commits perjury is guilty of an indictable offense and may be liable to imprisonment for a term not longer than 14 years
Plea Bargaining
Process of the Crown accepting a guilty plea on a lesser charge instead of incurring the expense and problems of a trial on the original charge
Preliminary Hearing
"Pre Lim", Court session held before the trial so that the judge may determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify holding a trial
Pre-Sentence Report
A description of the accused's family life and personal situation, prepared by a Probation Office, which the judge uses to help in deciding an appropriate sentence
Probation
Court order which releases a convicted person under supervision and with direction to obey certain conditions
Recognizance
An accused is released on his or her own recognizance when the Judge or Justice of the Peace gives permission for the accused to be released on bail, subject to the conditions specified on the appropriate form
Remand
To send or order back to prison
Reserve Judgment
A judge hearing a case may decide to take some time to do research, study the law or review the evidence presented at the trial before making a decision
Restitution
An act of repaying or compensating for loss, damage, or injury
Show Case Hearing
A Hearing where the Crown Attorney must convince the court that the accused should be kept in jail until the trial
Statutory Release
A form or conditional release that allows most federal offenders to serve the last third of his/her sentence in the community
Stay of Proceedings
A suspension of court proceedings on a particular charge but that can come back within a year
Subpoena
An order directing a person to appear in court as a witness
Summary Conviction Offense
A category of criminal offenses that are usually less serious crimes and carry lower sentences
Summons
Legal document ordering the appearance in court of an accused person
Surety
Person who agrees to be responsible for the accused's appearance in court
Suspended Sentence
Judge's order that the sentence given a guilty person need not be imposed, provided that the accused meets certain conditions set by the court. If the accused does not meet the conditions, the Judge can pass sentence on the original charge. A new charge may be laid for breaking the suspended sentence
Temporary Absence
An escorted or unescorted temporary absence from prison in order to receive medical attention, have contact with family, undergo personal development and/or counselling, participate in community service projects or can be granted on compassionate grounds such as a funeral
Testimony
Any evidence given
Verdict
A jury's finding in a case. It must be unanimous
Victim Impact Statement
A written account of the personal harm suffered by a victim of crime. It may include a description of the physical, financial and emotional effects of the crime. It must be taken into consideration by the judge
Voir Dire
Trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of certain evidence
Warrant
Court order giving legal authority to arrest a person
Withdrawal
When charges against the accused are withdrawn, no further action will be taken against the accused on that particular charge
Young Offender
Those aged 12 to seventeen are considered youths under Canadian Criminal Law and fall within the scope of the Young Offenders Act

Disclaimer: The information provided on these pages is intended for general information purposes only