Arraignment - A court appearance where the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea of Not Guilty, No Contest, or Guilty.

Complaint - A formal document prepared by the District Attorney based on police reports.

Consent Decree - In juvenile cases, this is a written agreement the juvenile makes promising to meet certain conditions set by the court.

Defendant - A person accused of or charged with a criminal offense.

Deferred Prosecution Agreement - An agreement to suspend prosecution for a specific period of time if the defendant complies with certain conditions.

Delinquency - In juvenile cases this is the equivalent of being convicted of a crime.

Dismissal - The charge against the defendant is dropped.

District Attorney - The prosecuting official who represents the State in criminal matters.

Due Process - The right of the accused persons (defendants) to receive notice of the charges against them, to face their accusers, to provide evidence to the court, and to be judged by a jury of their peers. Written into the US Constitution, these rights are described as every American's right to a fair trial.

Felony - A crime that may be punishable by confinement in prison.

Initial Appearance - A defendant's first appearance in court where the judge reads the charges, appoints an attorney (if needed), and sets future court dates.

Misdemeanor - A crime that may be punishable by confinement in a county jail.

Motions - An oral or written request before, during, or after a trial asking the court to issue a rule or order regarding the case.

Preliminary Hearing - A hearing in felony cases to establish probable cause to believe that the crime was committed and the defendant committed that crime. Only if probable cause is established may the case proceed on to a jury trial.

Probation - Supervised freedom. As an alternative to time in prison, some defendants convicted of a crime are allowed to remain in the community, but with restrictions on their daily activities.

Restitution - An amount of money set by the court to be paid to the victim of a crime for property losses or injuries caused by the crime.

Sentencing - The court hearing where the punishment of a defendant is announced.

Subpoena - A legal order requiring a person to appear in court to testify.

Trial - An official hearing of the facts in court. With testimony and physical evidence the District Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.