As used in this article, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) ACCUSED. A person who has been arrested for committing a criminal offense and who is held for an initial appearance or other proceeding before trial.
criminal case

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 15-23-60

  • Acquittal:
    1. Judgement that a criminal defendant has not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
    2. A verdict of "not guilty."
     
  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Oral argument: An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
  • United States: includes the territories thereof and the District of Columbia. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Victim advocate: work with prosecutors and assist the victims of a crime.
(2) APPELLATE PROCEEDING. An oral argument held in open court before the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, the Supreme Court of Alabama, a federal court of appeals, or the United States Supreme Court.
(3) ARREST. The actual custodial restraint of a person or his or her submission to custody.
(4) COMMUNITY STATUS. Extension of the limits of the places of confinement of a prisoner through work release, supervised intensive restitution (SIR), and initial consideration of pre-discretionary leave, passes, and furloughs.
(5) COURT. All state courts including juvenile courts.
(6) CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE. A person who is employed or authorized by a public entity or a private entity that receives public funding primarily to provide counseling, treatment, or other supportive assistance to crime victims.
(7) CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Conduct that gives a law enforcement officer or prosecutor probable cause to believe that a felony involving physical injury, the threat of physical injury, or a sexual offense, or any offense involving spousal abuse or domestic violence has been committed.
(8) CRIMINAL PROCEEDING. A hearing, argument, or other matter scheduled by and held before a trial court but does not include a lineup, grand jury proceeding, or other matter not held in the presence of the court.
(9) CUSTODIAL AGENCY. A municipal or county jail, the State Department of Corrections, juvenile detention facility, Department of Youth Services, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, or a secure mental health facility having custody of a person who is arrested or is in custody for a criminal offense.
(10) DEFENDANT. A person or entity that is formally charged by complaint, indictment, information, or petition, of committing a criminal offense.
(11) FINAL DISPOSITION. The ultimate termination of the criminal prosecution of a defendant by a trial court, including dismissal, acquittal, or imposition of a sentence.
(12) IMMEDIATE FAMILY. The spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the victim, unless that person is in custody for an offense or is the accused.
(13) LAWFUL REPRESENTATIVE. A person who is designated by the victim, who is a member of the immediate family, or appointed by the court and who will act in the best interests of the victim.
(14) POST-ARREST RELEASE. The discharge of the accused from confinement on recognizance, bond, or other condition.
(15) POST-CONVICTION RELEASE. Parole, or discharge from confinement by an agency having custody of the prisoner.
(16) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDING. A hearing, argument, or other matter that is held in any court and that involves a request for relief from a conviction, sentence, or adjudication.
(17) PRISONER. A person who has been convicted or adjudicated of a criminal offense against a victim and who has been sentenced to the custody of the sheriff, the Alabama Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, juvenile detention facility, a municipal jail, or a secure mental health facility.
(18) RIGHT. Any right granted to the victim by the laws of this state.
(19) VICTIM. A person against whom the criminal offense has been committed, or if the person is killed or incapacitated, the spouse, sibling, parent, child, or guardian of the person, except if the person is in custody for an offense or is the accused.
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