Criminal Defense Terms and Definitions

Levy A seizure; the obtaining of money by legal process through seizure and sale of property. Fraud An intentional perversion of truth; deceitful practice or device resorted to with intent to deprive another of property or other right. Subpoena An official order to appear in court (or at a deposition) at a specific time. Failure to obey a subpoena to appear in court is punishable as a contempt of court. Assault A willful attempt to illegally inflict injury on or threaten a person. Accessory A person who assists in the commission of a crime, either before or after the fact. Admissible evidence Evidence which can legally and properly be used in court. Search warrant An order issued by a judge or magistrate commanding a sheriff, constable, or other officer to search a specified location. Allegation The assertion, declaration, or statement of a party to an action, made in a pleading, establishing what the party expects to prove. Fourth Amendment The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects every person against unreasonable search and seizure by government officials. Misdemeanor A minor offense, lower than a felony, which is punishable by a county jail term of up to one year and/or a fine, but not prison. Misdemeanors are classified into three categories: Class A, B, and C.

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	Did You Know?
	Res Ipsa Loquitur - Literally, "a thing that speaks for itself." In tort law, the doctrine which holds a defendant guilty of negligence without an actual showing that he or she was negligent. Its use is limited in theory to cases in which the cause of the plaintiff's injury was entirely under the control of the defendant, and the injury presumably could have been caused only by negligence.