Terms Used In South Carolina Code > Title 63 > Chapter 19 > Article 11 - Transfer of Jurisdiction

• 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.
• Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
• Child: means a person under the age of eighteen. See South Carolina Code 63-1-40
• Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
• Court: means the family court. See South Carolina Code 63-19-20
• Judge: means the judge of the family court. See South Carolina Code 63-19-20
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.
• 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.