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Glossary

Criminal law, defined

Clear definitions of the terms you'll encounter — one concept at a time, in plain language.

These definitions explain the official rules they cite. Each article identifies its scope and sources; state procedures can differ. General legal information, not legal advice. Our editorial standards explain how we prepare and check articles.

Bench trialDefinition of a bench trial: a criminal trial in which the judge, not a jury, decides guilt, explained through the federal jury-waiver rule.Criminal ComplaintA criminal complaint is a written, usually sworn, statement of the essential facts of a charged offense. This page explains how it works in federal court and New Jersey.DepositionWhat a deposition means in a federal criminal case: testimony preserved for trial under Rule 15, how a court decides whether to order one, and limits on using it.Information (Charging Document)In federal court, an information is a written charging document signed by a government attorney rather than voted by a grand jury. This entry covers the definition, its use, and who decides.Probable causeA plain-language definition of probable cause: what it is, where it comes up in U.S. criminal cases, and who decides it, with federal, Florida and Mississippi examples.Record sealingA plain-language definition of record sealing in criminal cases: what it means, how it comes up when a case ends or later, and who decides, with state examples.Set-AsideWhat a set-aside is, how a request to set aside a conviction comes up, and who decides, with examples from Florida, Michigan and Nebraska.SubpoenaA subpoena is a court document ordering a witness to testify or produce items. This page explains how subpoenas work in federal criminal cases under Rule 17.SummonsA criminal summons is a court document requiring a charged person to appear in court at a stated time and place instead of being arrested. Federal and New Jersey examples.VerdictA verdict is the jury's decision on the charges at the end of a jury trial. How federal rules handle unanimity, partial verdicts, jury polls, and the judge's role.