Although fairly standard in the law enforcement and court arena, some terms may appear on
criminal records that are unfamiliar to the layperson. The following includes some of the terms
we have seen on criminal records we have processed over the years. Also included are some
we thought would be useful in understanding the law enforcement/judicial process.
Although most of the definitions have been verified through standard dictionaries and
authoritative reference books, always consider the context in which the word is used. Watch
also the use of “degrees,” such as first, second and third, voluntary or involuntary, petty or
grand. In many cases, these are assigned for purposes of applying fines or punishment and
may be relevant in making employment decisions.
This list should be used only as a guide in interpreting criminal record information. Some
jurisdictions my interpret some of the terms contained herein differently. Further, this list should
not be considered all-inclusive; it is not intended to discourage communication neither with the
record provider nor from seeking advice from legal counsel. |
