Criminal Law definitions beginning with J

The Jencks Act requires the government to give defense counsel any prior statements of witnesses testifying for the government in a criminal case. The statements must relate to the direct testimony of the witness and need not be given to defense counsel until the government has completed its questioning of the witness. A similar requirement is imposed on the defense.
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Browse Related Terms: Cross-examination, Direct examination, Financial Affidavit Form (CJA Form 23), Leading question, Opening Statement, Overrule, subpoena, Sustain, Testimony

The joining together of two or more offenses, or two or more defendants, in the same indictment for purposes of trial.
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Browse Related Terms: Arraignment, Grand Jury, Grand jury foreperson, Indictment, Information, Motion for new trial, True bill

The power and authority of a court to hear and decide a particular type of case. For example, U.S. district courts have jurisdiction over cases charging violations of federal criminal laws.
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Browse Related Terms: Assimilative Crimes Act, Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), Criminal docket, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Local rules, U.S. Attorney, U.S. District Court Judge, U.S. Magistrate Judge

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A trial jury is the group of jurors before whom a criminal trial is held. In a criminal trial, there are 12 jurors plus alternates. The jury's duty is to weigh the evidence fairly and impartially and then decide whether the defendant is guilt or not guilty.
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Browse Related Terms: Alternate juror, Challenge for cause, Jury selection, Peremptory challenge, Voir dire

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After all the evidence in a case has been presented, either before or after closing arguments, the judge instructs the jury. The instructions cover such matters as the responsibilities of the jurors, how the jurors are to go about deciding the case, and legal principles applicable to the case.
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Browse Related Terms: Closing argument, Motion for judgment of acquittal, Presumption of innocence, Proof beyond a reasonable doubt, Suppression motion, Trial

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After a jury verdict is returned but before it is officially recorded, the jury may be polled at the request of either party. During the poll, each juror is asked whether he or she agrees with the verdict announced by the foreperson.
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Browse Related Terms: Acquittal, dismissal, Guilty plea, Guilty verdict, Hung jury, Mistrial, Plea agreement, Stipulation, Verdict

The process by which the adversaries select a jury. The prosecutor and the defense attorney jointly select the jury by using challenges to eliminate those jurors that they believe are biased or unsympathetic to their respective case.
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Browse Related Terms: Alternate juror, Challenge for cause, Jury, Peremptory challenge, Voir dire

An executive branch agency with responsibilities in a wide range of areas bearing on the administration of justice. In the criminal area, the Justice Department is responsible for investigating alleged criminal conduct and deciding which cases merit prosecution in the federal courts.
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Browse Related Terms: Attorney General, Bureau of Prisons, Controlled substance, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshal's Service

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