The Australian judicial system is rife with extremely specialised terminology that a lot of people may have trouble understanding. Then when you, or someone in your area has been up against a criminal charge, it’s vital that you view the legal terminology which is planning to surface in legal documents and after a trial. Here we’ve provided a listing of a number of the more confusing terms and definitions often found in the Australian criminal justice system.
Acquittal:
This term can be used if the magistrate, jury or appeal court realize that one is not liable in the charges against him/her.
Affidavit:
A written declaration made under oath before a notary public or any other authorised officer. The individual that has written the declaration claims that the contents are, towards the best of their knowledge, true.
Appeal:
To generate an appeal is to take a case with a higher court to be able to challenge a determination manufactured by less court or tribunal. For example, an appeal from your decision in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia could be made to the government Court. The person who appeals is recognized as the ‘appellant’. However, it really is worth noting that all decisions might be appealed.
Committal Hearing:
It is a hearing of all the so-called evidence that props up the charge in the lower court by a magistrate who decides if you have sufficient evidence for that case to go to trial. In a few committal hearings, there can be witnesses who are needed to provide evidence.
Complainant:
This is actually the term used in the court to consult the victim in the crime committed.
Defendant:
This is actually the term used in the court to consult the one that will be charged with a criminal offence. This term is interchangeable with ‘the accused’.
Deposition:
It is a typed copy in the evidence recorded in the court.
Exhibits:
All evidence (in addition to evidence given by the witnesses) needed to present the truth towards the court, like photographs, clothing, documents or another goods that could be strongly related the truth.
Indictable Offence:
A life threatening Brisbane criminal lawyer which is commonly heard in the higher court before a judge as well as a jury. Less serious indictable offences, termed as summary offences, are generally heard in the Local Court.
Indictment:
It is a formal written accusation charging a person with an offence which is intended to be tried in the higher court.
Jurisdiction:
This is actually the extent of legal authority/power in the Court to make use of the law. For example, in Australia the government Court has jurisdiction under over 150 Acts in the Commonwealth Parliament.
Mediation:
It is a process whereby an impartial 3rd party, referred to as the mediator, assists in bringing about a compromise or agreed settlement without requiring your choice of a Court.
Plaintiff:
This is actually the term used to consult the individual or party who initiates a civil action. In other words, this can be the person or party who brings in a situation up against the defendant, and seeks punishment for that person or people that committed the crime.
Plea:
This is when the accused person (the defendant) tells a legal court whether are guilty or otherwise guilty of the charge against them. If the accused pleads guilty, an effort will not likely occur and also the case proceeds with a sentencing hearing, which determines the punishment for that crime.
Subpoena:
A subpoena compels each side somebody with a trial to be able to testify and/or produce documents. It is a court ruling, and if it really is disobeyed, the disobedient person could possibly be in contempt of court.
Voir Dire:
It is a legal argument in regards to the admissibility of a certain bit of evidence in the court. In the case that this argument should take place, the witness and also the jury are delivered of court until it finishes.
For those who have questions regarding a criminal charge in Brisbane, please don’t hesitate to get hold of us. Only at Guest Lawyers, we specialize in criminal law and will be happy that may help you with questions or concerns. Our aim is to supply honest, respectful and easy to know legal services to be able to lessen the stress linked to your litigation.
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