| Capias |
The Latin meaning is “That You Take”. This is the
name for several types of writs which require that a
law enforcement official take a named defendant
into custody. |
| Capital Case/Crime |
Case or crime for which the death penalty may be
imposed. |
| Capital Punishment |
Punishment by death for capital crime. |
| Carnal |
Sexual, sensual. Carnal knowledge is sexual
intercourse. |
| Cause of Action |
One or more related charges, combined and made
against a defendant for wrongs committed. |
| Charge |
In criminal law, a charge is an allegation that an
individual has committed a specific offense. |
| Citation |
An order issued by a law enforcement officer
requiring appearance in court to answer a charge.
Bail is not accepted in lieu of appearance. |
| Circuit |
Judicial division of the United States or of an
individual state. |
| Circuit Courts |
Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several
counties or districts. (There are thirteen judicial
circuits wherein the U.S. Courts of Appeals reside). |
| City Court |
Courts that try persons accused of violating
municipal ordinances. City courts may have
jurisdiction over minor civil or criminal cases, or
both. |
| Civil Disorder |
A violent public disturbance by three or more people
which causes danger, damage or injury to property
or persons. |
| Co-defendant |
One of a group of two or more people charged in the
same crime. |
| Coercion |
The use of physical force or threats to compel
someone to commit an act against their will. |
| Compounding Crime |
The receipt by an individual of consideration in
exchange for an agreement not to prosecute or
inform on someone who they know has committed a
crime. |
| Concurrent Sentences |
Two or more terms of imprisonment served
simultaneously. |
| Conditional Release |
The release from a correctional facility before full
sentence has been served which is conditioned on
specific behavior. If conditions are not met, the
individual may be returned to the facility. |
| Consecutive Sentences |
Multiple sentences, served one after the other. |
| Conspiracy |
The coming together of two or more people for the
purpose of committing an unlawful act or to commit
a lawful act by unlawful means. |
| Contempt of Court |
An act committed which serves to obstruct the court
in its administration or authority. |
| Controlled Substance |
A drug whose availability is restricted by law. |
| Conversion |
The unauthorized taking of another’s property. |
| Conviction |
Guilty verdict in a criminal trial. |
| Count/Charge |
An offense named in a cause of action. A cause of
action may contain multiple counts or charges, each
relating to the others but identifying a separate
offense. |
| Court of Record |
The court where the permanent record of all
proceedings is held. |
| Credit Card Fraud |
Use, or attempted use of a credit card to purchase
goods or services with the intent to avoid payment of
such. |
| Crime Against Nature |
Deviate sexual intercourse. |
| Criminal Nonsupport |
Failure to pay child support |
| Culpability |
Blame, or degree of responsibility for a crime. This
may be in degrees of purposeful, knowingly,
recklessly or by negligence. |
| Cumulative Sentence |
A sentence that takes effect after a prior sentence is
completed for crimes tried under the same cause of
action. |
