Criminal Law terms starting with M

6 terms

1. Mandatory minimum sentence A statutorily defined minimum term of imprisonment that the court is required to impose on a defendant at sentencing.
2. Misdemeanor A criminal offense lesser than a felony and generally punishable by fine or by imprisonment of less than 1 year.
3. Mistrial An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.
4. Motion A formal, written request filed with the court. Motions are made in court all the time for many purposes: to continue (postpone) a trial to a later date…
5. Motion for judgment of acquittal The court, on motion of a defendant or on its own motion, must order the entry of a judgment of acquittal if the evidence on a given charge is…
6. Motion for new trial The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure allow the defendant to file a motion for a new trial within seven days of a verdict or finding of guilt by a judge.