Terms Used In Indiana Code > Title 5 > Article 14 > Chapter 2 - Public Access to Criminal Proceedings

• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Criminal action: means a prosecution initiated in the name of the state of Indiana against an accused alleging the commission of a felony or misdemeanor. See Indiana Code 5-14-2-1
• Criminal proceedings: means court proceedings in a criminal action after the arrest of an accused and before any appeal is instituted; it does not include:

  Indiana Code 5-14-2-1

• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• General public: means any individual, or group of individuals, but does not include the parties to the criminal action. See Indiana Code 5-14-2-1
• Open to attendance: means that individuals have the right freely to attend and observe criminal proceedings. See Indiana Code 5-14-2-1
• Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
• Rules of procedure: means rules adopted by the supreme court of Indiana. See Indiana Code 5-14-2-1
• Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
• Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
• Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.