n. A defense to a criminal charge alleging that the accused was somewhere other than at the scene of the crime at the time it occurred.
v. To provide an alibi for someone.
Illustrative caselawSee, e.g. Lee v. Kemna, 534 U.S. 362...
criminal law and procedure
Alibi
Definition
Alibi Witness
Definition
A witness who testifies in support of a defendant's allegation that he or she was somewhere other than at the scene of the crime at the time it occurred.
Illustrative caselawSee, e.g. Lee v. Kemna, 534 U.S. 362 (2002).
See...Allen Charge
Definition
An instruction given by a court to a deadlocked jury to encourage it to continue deliberating until it reaches a verdict. Some states prohibit Allen charges, because they deem them coercive, but the U.S. Supreme Court upheld their use in...
Allocution
The direct address between the judge and the convicted defendant prior to sentencing. During the address, the judge speaks directly to the defendant and asks if the defendant has anything to add prior to hearing the sentence. The defendant then...
Anticipatory Warrant
An anticipatory search warrant is a warrant that is based on an affidavit that shows probable cause that evidence of a particular crime (such as forged checks) will be at a specified location at some time in the future.
See Search Warrants,...
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA)
Major mid-1990s reform of habeas corpus as used to challenge criminal convictions. Among other provisions, the law limits both the procedural and substantive scope of the writ. Procedurally, it bans successive petitions by the same person, requiring...
Approach
Definition
To move towards the bench in order to have a conversation with the judge and opposing counsel off the record and/or out of the jury's earshot. An attorney or juror (during voir dire) must request to approach the bench, i.e. "Your honor, may I...
Approach the Witness
Definition
To move towards a witness in order to show him or her a document or exhibit. In some jurisdictions, an attorney must request to approach a witness, i.e. "May I approach the witness?"
Illustrative caselawSee, e.g. Michaels v. State, 970...
Armed Career Criminal Act (1984)
Also known as the “ACCA”. A federal law imposing a minimum prison sentence of fifteen years on criminals with at least three violent felony convictions.
Arraignment
Definition
The first step in criminal proceeding where the defendant is brought in front of the court to hear the charges and enter a plea.
Illustrative caselawSee, e.g. County of Riverside v. McLaughlin 500 U.S. 44 (1991) and Godinez v. Moran,...