This glossary is to help people understand different terms that can be linked to law and that can be confusing. The goal is to introduce some terms and their definition so the average person can understand them.
acquittal
noun
A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged.
Example: It is not a desirable state of affairs where a solicitor is unable to give accurate advice on how the defendant should proceed to ensure the best possible chance of an ACQUITTAL.
fr: acquittement
adjournment
noun
An act or period of adjourning or being adjourned; break off (a meeting, legal case, or game) with the intention of resuming it later.
Example: The slightest doubt over the law or the evidence in a case could be enough to produce a lengthy ADJOURNMENT for re-consideration, research and re-argument.".
fr: ajournement
amendment
noun
A minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc.
Example: Instead of treating abortion as a wrong, the right of abortion is derived from the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth AMENDMENT.
fr: amendement
appeal
noun, verb
Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Example: Only the vanquished were put on trial, regardless of the atrocities committed by the Allies and the victors undertook the duties of both prosecutor and judge, without leaving recourse to APPEAL.
fr: appel
attorney
noun
A lawyer; a person who practices or studies law. They can be on either the prosecution's side or the defendant's.
Example: As a minimal protection, the prosecution are encouraged by the ATTORNEY General's guidelines to disclose of "all evidence upon which the Crown proposes to rely in a summary trail".
fr: avocat.e
charter
noun
A constitution; a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Example: It is generally accepted that there is no right of humanitarian intervention since it would be incompatible with the provisions listed in the United Nations CHARTER.
fr: charte
court clerk
noun
A court clerk is an officer of the court responsible for managing non-judicial, administrative, and procedural tasks, ensuring the legal system operates efficiently.
Example: The Government of Quebec is looking for COURT CLERKS.
fr: greffier
courthouse
noun
A building in which a judicial court is held.
Example: That disturbing possibility loomed up repeatedly on courthouse steps across the state at the dawn of the new political order.
fr: tribunal, palais de justice
criminal record
adjective + noun
A list of a person's previous criminal convictions.
Example: This may be because 'businessmen do not like being labeled as criminals' thereby risking their reputation and the implications of a CRIMINAL RECORD.
fr: casier judiciaire
decriminalization
Noun
The action or process of ceasing to treat something as illegal or as a criminal offense.
Example: The DECRIMINALIZATION of abortion was made in 1988 in Canada.
fr: décriminalisation
legislate
verb
Make or enact laws.
Example: The right to LEGISLATE is a fundamental trait of any government.
fr: légiférer
probation
noun
The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.
Example: In Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland between 40-50% of the black male population between the ages of 18 and 15 is at any given moment either in prison, on PROBATION, parole or there is a warrant out for their arrest.
fr: probation
prosecutor
noun
A person, especially a public official, who institutes legal proceedings against someone.
Example: In conclusion, the issues that arise from the Chief PROSECUTOR's communication such as definitions and subjective elements are criticisms which need to be addressed, in order to further develop international criminal law as an efficient, effective and genuine legal body of rules.
fr: procureur.e
special constable
adjective + noun
A special constable (SC) or special police constable (SPC) can refer either to an auxiliary or part-time law enforcement officer; or a person who is granted certain (special) police powers.
Example: In Québec, SPECIAL CONSTABLES are used in courthouses.
fr: constable spécial.e
witness
noun, verb
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place; see (an event, typically a crime or accident) take place.
Example: In Webber it was held that a defendant relies on a fact when counsel puts an argument to a WITNESS, even if that WITNESS rejects the argument being put forward.
