A reduction in sentenced time in prison as a reward for good behavior. It usually is one-third to one-half off the maximum sentence.

A body of persons sworn to inquire into crime and, if appropriate, bring accusations (indictments) against the suspected criminals.

The person who sets up a trust.

A private residence designed or converted to serve as a non-secure home for unrelated persons, such as juveniles.

A person appointed by will or by law to assume responsibility for incompetent adults or minor children. If a parent dies, this will usually be the other parent. If both die, it probably will be a close relative.

Legal right given to a person to be responsible for the food, housing, health care, and other necessities of a person deemed incapable of providing these necessities for himself or herself. A guardian also may be given responsibility for the person's financial affairs, and thus, perform additionally as a conservator. See also conservatorship.

A writ commanding that a person be brought before a judge. Most commonly, a writ of habeas corpus is a legal document that forces law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding and to legally justify his or her confinement.

An error committed during a trial that was corrected or was not serious enough to affect the outcome of a trial and, therefore, was not sufficiently harmful (prejudicial) to be reversed on appeal.

Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.

A witness whose testimony is not favorable to the party who calls him or her as a witness. A hostile witness may be asked leading questions and may be cross-examined by the party who calls him or her to the stand.

A jury whose members cannot agree upon a verdict.

Grant by the government, which assures someone will not face prosecution in return for providing criminal evidence.

An attack on the credibility (believability) of a witness through evidence introduced for that purpose.

In chambers, or in private. A hearing in camera takes place outside of the presence of the jury and the public.

In the manner of a pauper. In a legal sense, it refers to permission given by the court to an indigent person to proceed in a case without paying court costs or filing fees.

In court it refers to persons who present their own case without lawyers. See Pro Se.

That which, under the rules of evidence, cannot be admitted or received as evidence.

To confine in jail.

A special kind of executor, permitted by the laws of certain states, who performs the duties of an executor without intervention by the court.

A sentence of imprisonment to a specified minimum and maximum period of time, specifically authorized by statute, subject to termination by a parole board or other authorized agency after the prisoner has served the minimum term.

A written accusation by a grand jury charging a person with a crime.

Needy or impoverished. A defendant who can demonstrate his or her indigence to the court may be assigned a court-appointed attorney at public expense and may qualify for in forma pauperis status.

Statutorily mandated academic plan for students with special needs (i.e., “learning disabled”).

A violation of law not punishable by imprisonment. Minor traffic offenses generally are considered infractions.

A state tax on property that an heir or beneficiary under a will receives from a deceased person's estate. The heir or beneficiary pays this tax.

In criminal law, the hearing at which a judge determines whether there is sufficient evidence against a person charged with a crime to hold him or her for trial. The US Constitution bans secret accusations, so initial appearances are public unless the defendant asks otherwise; the accused must be present, though he or she usually does not offer evidence. Also called first appearance.

The first appearance before a judge, usually a magistrate judge, to determine whether there is probable cause, whether the youth should be released or detained in a secure facility, and – if released - what conditions should be imposed on the juvenile (for example: curfew). These hearings are held in courtroom JM-15 of Moultrie Courthouse.

Writ or order by a court prohibiting a specific action from being carried out by a person or group. A preliminary injunction is granted provisionally until a full hearing can be held to determine if it should be made permanent.

The procedure by which a juvenile is registered in the court adjudication process after the police have arrested him or her.

Nonphysical items such as stock certificates, bonds, bank accounts, and pension benefits that have value and must be taken into account in estate planning.

A gift made during the giver's life.

Another name for a living trust.

Provisional; not final. An interlocutory order or an interlocutory appeal concerns only a part of the issues raised in a lawsuit.

Written questions asked during discovery by one party in a lawsuit for which the opposing party must provide written answers.

An action by which a third person who may be affected by a lawsuit is permitted to become a party to the suit.

See descent and distribution statutes.