criminal-law

Definition

The offense of betraying one’s own country by attempting to overthrow the government through waging war against the state or materially aiding its enemies. Also termed high treason; alta proditio.

According to the United States Constitution, Article III, § 3, “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.

Definition

To cheat a person out of money or property through fraud or deceit.

Definition

The willful theft of merchandise from a retail establishment without the knowledge or consent of the seller with the intention of converting those goods for one’s personal use and without having paid the purchase price. Shoplifting is considered to be a form of larceny and may be prosecuted as such.

Definition

The act of implicating oneself in a crime or exposing oneself to criminal prosecution. Self-incrimination may occur as a result of interrogation or may be made voluntarily. The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution protects a person from being compelled to incriminate oneself. Also termed self-crimination; self-inculpation.

Definition

To offer or present for immediate acceptance or rejection, usually evidence at trial.

Definition

A jail or correctional facility that confines convicted criminals for an extended period of time.

Definition

The section of a prison the holds prisoners who have been sentenced to death and are awaiting execution.

Definition

Coercion by unjustifiably threatening to reveal to another person or to the public substantially true information that is embarrassing, injurious, or incriminating.

Definition

An arrest warrant issued directly by a sitting judge or magistrate to a law-enforcement officer in a criminal or civil court proceeding.

Definition

A medical examination of a corpse to determine disease, injury, and cause of death, especially in a criminal investigation. Also termed postmortem; postmortem examination; necropsy; obduction.