Criminal Defense Terms and Definitions

Search warrant An order issued by a judge or magistrate commanding a sheriff, constable, or other officer to search a specified location. Levy A seizure; the obtaining of money by legal process through seizure and sale of property. Accessory A person who assists in the commission of a crime, either before or after the fact. Embezzlement The fraudulent appropriation by a person to his own use or benefit of property or money entrusted to him by another. Fourteenth Amendment Among other matters, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without adequate due process. Miranda rule The rule, pronounced in Miranda v. Arizona, that confessions are inadmissible in a criminal prosecution if the police do not advise the suspect in custody of certain rights before questioning. 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. Dismissal without prejudice A dismissal which permits the plaintiff to sue again on the same cause of action or the state to proceed again. Dismissal with prejudice bars the right to subsequently bring an action on the same cause. Admissible evidence Evidence which can legally and properly be used in court. Fraud An intentional perversion of truth; deceitful practice or device resorted to with intent to deprive another of property or other right.

Contact us now to obtain a free case review or more information on our Delaware Criminal Defense Lawyers.

	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.