A formal accusation by a grand jury saying there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial. Used primarily for felonies.

Acusación por gran jurado

Indict = acusar

Admonition

advice or caution by the court to the jury respecting their conduct as jurors, and the purpose for which evidence may be considered.

advertencia

A formal court proceeding with the judge and opposing sides present, but no jury.

Audiencia

When a person that is accused of committing a crime is taken to court,

told about the changes, and

asked to plead "guilty" or "not guilty".

Lectura de cargos

Booking

What police do when they arrest someone. Includes taking fingerprints, photographs, and writing down personal information about the person.

fichar

Miranda Rights

Requirement that police tell a person who is arrested or questioned their constitutional rights before they question him.

the right to remain silent; any statement made may be used against him;

the right to an attorney; and if the person cannot afford one, one will be appointed if he desires.

Derechos Miranda

Penalty of perjury

circumstances in which a person takes an oath that he will testify, declare, depose or certify truthfully.

Pena de perjurio (juramento en falso)

summons

a court order requiring someone to show up in court and give evidence in a court case. If you need a witness to come to court, you can serve them with a subpoena.

(2) A jury

summons requires the person receiving it to

report for possible jury duty.

                                                                          citación

 citación

A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.

(affidavit of support: needed for immigrants to show they can support themselves)

declaración juramentada

The release of an offender from detention, subject to a period of good behavior under supervision.

libertad condicional

to call into question (duda) the truthfulness (honestidad) of a witness.

(Impeachment of the president) 

impugnación del testigo

impugnar = contradecir, refutar

statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question, but heard about it from someone else.

Can't be used as an evidence.

evidencia por referencia

A security deposit (usua. money) given to release a defendant or witness from custody and to make sure they go to court when they are suppossed to.

Fianza

An agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant. It let's the defendant plead guilty to a less serious charge, if the court approves.

Declaración negociada

request (solicitud) to cancel, modify, change or terminate probation. Asking the courts to change something. >

moción

subpoena

/supina/

An official order to go to court at a certain time. Commonly used to tell witnesses to come to court to testify in a trial.

YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear in the United States District court at the place, date, and time specified below to testify in the above case.

(citación)/

*orden de comparecencia (para prestar testimonio/atestiguar)/

*orden judicial o de comparecencia 

• right to due process of law
• equal protection of the law

• right to be secure against unreasonable searches & seizures
• no warrants issued but upon probable cause (affirmation, describing..)

• indictment of a grand jury is needed if a person shall be held for a capital or infamous crime.
• double jeopardy
• protection against witness against himself
• due process

• right to:
• a speedy & public trial
• impartial jury
• to b informd of the nature & cause of accusation
• confronted w/ witness against him
• subpoena witnesses in his favor
• have an attorney

a party or side involved in a lawsuit.

una parte o lado implicado en un pleito.

litigante

The court with authority to deal with the estates of people who have died.

TRIBUNAL TESTAMENTARIO

One or more lawyers who represent a client. Also, legal advice. (See ATTORNEY).

ASESOR LEGAL (abogado)

A crime that can be punished by up to one year in jail.

delito menor