Criminal Background Records Glossary - Criminal Justice Terms and Definitions

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A.
Abduction
	Taking away by violence or fraud and persuasion; kidnapping. Usually a female or wife, child or ward.

Abet
	See Aiding and Abetting.

Abstraction
	Taking away with intent to harm or deceive.

Accessory
	Not the perpetrator of the crime but in some way involved without being present in the commission of the crime.

Accessory After the Fact
	One who helps a criminal to elude arrest.

Accessory Before the Fact
	One who induces another to commit a crime

Accordance
	Conforming to the rules.

Accountability
	The state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.

Acquittal
	A not-guilty verdict absolving an accused party of guilt. Release or absolution.

Acted
	To carry out an action.

Action
	Case, cause, suit or controversy disputed or contested before a court of justice.

Adjudicated Guilty – Conviction
	The defendant has been found guilty of the charges.

Adjudication
	The legal process by which a case or claim is settled. May also be the final pronouncement of judgment in a case or claim.

Adjudication Withheld
	The court will withhold a decision until a future date. Usually some sort of probation is added and if the defendant complies with the conditions for a specified period of time, the case may be dismissed. If the case is not dismissed, then the disposition remains adjudication withheld and the case is closed. However, if the defendant is found in violation, the case disposition may be changed and the defendant can be found guilty.

Admission
	Confession of a charge, an error, or a crime; acknowledgment.

Admitted
	To acknowledge; confess.

Adult
	An individual who is 18 years of age and over (see Minor and Child).

Adulterated Specimen
	A specimen that contains a substance that is not expected to be present in human urine, or contains a substance expected to be present but is at a concentration so high that it is not consistent with human urine.

Affidavit
	A written statement of fact that is verified by oath or affirmation before a notary public.

Affirmed
	In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.

Affray
	Brawl or disturbance. Not premeditated.

Aggravated
	(assault, battery, arson, etc.) Circumstances surrounding the commission of a crime or tort which increase or add to its injurious consequences.

Aiding and Abetting
	To assist and/or incite another to commit a crime.

Alias
	False name used in substitution of a legal name on official documents and for official purposes. Nicknames are not considered aliases. May be noted as AKA (Also Known As) on criminal records.

Allegation
	A claim or statement of what a party intends to prove; the facts as one party claims they are.

Allege
	To claim or declare that something is so.

Amendment
	The correction of an error in any process, pleading, or proceeding at law.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
	The cost of credit over a full year. The law requires lenders to express financing terms of the APR.

Antitrust Acts or Laws
	Laws to protect trade and commerce from unlawful practice.

Appeal
	A request for a higher level review of a decision in which the involved person disagrees.

Appearance
	The coming into court of either party to a suit or action.

Appellant
	One who makes a complaint to a superior court to review the decision of a lower court.

Appellate Court
	A court having jurisdiction of appeal and review. Not a trial court.

Appellee
	The party against whom the appeal is taken.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
	Any system, whether in paper or software form, that manages both an organization’s job posting and data collection (i.e., resume/applications) process to efficiently match prospective candidates to the proper positions.

Appropriate
	To take something from another for one's own use or benefit.

Arbitration
	The process of resolving a dispute or a grievance outside of the court system by presenting it to an impartial third party or panel for a decision that may or may not be binding.

Archive/Archives
	The place where records are stored after a certain specified period of time. The period of time a record is held at a court of record may differ between courts and states.

ARD Program – Non-conviction
	Mostly found in the state of Pennsylvania, this stands for “Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program.” This program is given to the defendant in place of adjudication. If the defendant completes the program, the case is closed.

Arraignment
	A criminal defendant's first appearance before a judge. The primary purpose is to inform the defendant of what charge he is facing.

Arrest
	The taking of an individual into custody by law enforcement personnel for the purpose of charging them with an illegal act.

Arrest Record
	An official form completed by the police department when a person is arrested. Also, a cumulative record of all instances in which a person has been arrested.

Arson
	The attempted or intentional destruction of property by fire or explosion.

Assault
	An unlawful act that places another person in reasonable apprehension of receiving an immediate battery. Also defined as an attempt to commit a battery.The defendant must have intended to injure the victim or make the victim reasonably fear being struck. An assault is intentional, not an accident.

Attacked
	To set upon with violent force, an assault.

Attempted
	To attack with the intention of subduing.

Average Daily Balance
	A method of computing the figure on which the finance charge for credit card financing will be based. The account balances for each day in the billing period are totaled and divided by the number of days in the period.

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B.
Bail
	Bond money paid to a court, by or on behalf of a criminal defendant, as security that, when released from jail, the defendant will appear at future hearings. If another person posts the bail money, then that third party vouches that the defendant will appear at future court dates. Bail can be forfeited if the defendant fails to appear or violates release conditions.

Bail / Bon Forfeiture – Non-conviction
	The charges against the defendant are dropped. Not enough evidence to convict.

Battery
	An intentional, unwanted and forceful/violent touching of another person, or something closely connected with that person.

Bench Trial
	A trial held before a judge and without a jury.

Bench Warrant
	A process delivered by the court directing a law enforcement agency to bring a specified individual before the court.

Bind-Over
	A finding at a preliminary examination that sufficient evidence exists to require a trial at the Circuit Court level on the charges made against the defendant.

Blackmail
	An illegal demand for money or property under threat of harm or exposure of undesirable acts.

Blind specimen or blind performance test specimen
	A specimen submitted to a laboratory for quality control testing purposes, with a fictitious identifier, so that the laboratory cannot distinguish it from an employee specimen.

Bond
	A debt intended to insure the defendant's future appearances in court. The amount of the bond is set by a judge or magistrate. Factors influencing the amount set include the seriousness of the charge, the defendant's criminal history, and the defendant's ties to the community. There are four types of bonds:

Bond Forfeiture
	Bond forfeiture occurs when a case has been disposed and a fine is to be, or has been paid. If it is a first offense, it is listed on the record but not classified as a conviction; any other time it is classified as a conviction.

Bond: Cash bonds
	require the full amount of the bond to be paid in cash before the defendant can be released. If the defendant appears at all future court dates, most of the monies are returned to the person posting the bond.

Bond: Percent bonds
	require the defendant to post a percentage of the full bond (generally as low as 10%) to get out of jail, and the remaining percentage is due only if the defendant later fails to appear.

Bond: Personal recognizance bonds
	PR bonds or signature bonds) do not require the defendant or a third party to pay money to the court, unless the defendant later fails to appear.

Bond: Surety bonds
	are posted by a professional bondsman after being paid a non-refundable percentage of the full amount by the defendant.

Bookmaking
	An operation with the purpose of placing, registering, paying off or collecting debts for bets.

Breaking & Entering
	Using some force to enter a building (opening a door, raising a window, taking screen off, etc.); damage need not result.

Brief
	A written statement of the case, including a summery of the facts, a statement of the questions of law involved, and the arguments and legal authorities upon which the party relies. It serves as each party's principal submission to the appellate court for its decision.

Burden of Proof
	The duty to establish by evidence a requisite degree of belief concerning a fact in the mind of a trier of fact. The duty to establish facts in an adversary proceeding. Different burdens of proof exist in the law.

Burden of Proof: Preponderance of the evidence
	The burden of proof in civil cases. Evidence which, as a whole, shows that the fact sought to be proved is more probable than not. Evidence which is more credible and convincing to the mind. It is generally visualized as that side of the dispute toward which the scales tip when the credible evidence is weighed by the trier of fact. Something more than 50 percent of the credible evidence. Clear and convincing evidence: the burden of proof in selected proceedings, such as termination of parental rights. A measure of proof which produces a firm belief as to the allegations. It is difficult to quantify, but is more than a "preponderance" and less than "beyond a reasonable doubt." Beyond a reasonable doubt: the degree of belief a criminal juror (or the judge in a bench trial) must have regarding all factual elements of a charged crime. No doubt, based on reason and common sense, can exist as to any fact needed to be proved.

Burden of Proof: Prima facie evidence
	Evidence which is good and sufficient "on its face" to establish a given fact when un-rebutted or not contradicted. Probable cause.

Burglary
	The act of entering a premises, without the privilege to enter, with the purpose of committing a crime. States may classify as first, second, or third degree burglary.

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C.
Cancelled test
	A drug or alcohol test that has a problem identified that cannot be or has not been corrected, or which otherwise requires to be cancelled. A cancelled test is neither a positive nor a negative test.

Capias
	The Latin meaning is "That You Take". This is the name for several types of writs which require that a law enforcement official take a named defendant into custody.

Capital Case/Crime
	Case or crime for which the death penalty may be imposed.

Capital Punishment
	Punishment by death for capital crime.

Carnal
	Sexual, sensual. Carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse.

Cause of Action
	One or more related charges, combined and made against a defendant for wrongs committed.

Chain of Custody
	The procedure used to document the handling of the urine specimen from the time the employee gives the specimen to the collector until the specimen is destroyed. This procedure uses the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF).

Challenge
	An objection to the seating of a prospective juror on the jury panel for a trial.

Challenge for Cause
	A challenge to a juror for which some cause or reason is alleged.

Charge
	An accusation of wrong doing.

Charged
	To accuse formally or explicitly.

Charges
	To make a claim of wrongdoing against; accuse or blame.

Child
	Individual who is younger than 18 years of age.

Circuit
	Judicial division of the United States or of an individual state.

Circuit Courts
	Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several counties or districts. (There are thirteen judicial circuits wherein the U.S. Courts of Appeals reside).

Citation
	An order issued by a law enforcement officer requiring appearance in court to answer a charge. Bail is not accepted in lieu of appearance.

City Court
	Courts that try persons accused of violating municipal ordinances. City courts may have jurisdiction over minor civil or criminal cases, or both.

Civil Disorder
	A violent public disturbance by three or more people which causes danger, damage or injury to property or persons.

Cleared
	Free from charges.

Clerk of Court
	Court officer in charge of the clerical work; keeps the records, issues process, enters judgments and orders, and gives certified copies of documents from the record.

Co-defendant
	One of a group of two or more people charged in the same crime.

Coercion
	The use of physical force or threats to compel someone to commit an act against their will.

Collection site
	A place selected by the employer where employees present themselves for the purpose of providing a urine specimen for a drug test.

Common Law
	A body of legal principles which derives its authority solely from usages and customs of ancient times, or from the judgments and decrees of courts recognizing, affirming, and enforcing such usages and customs; particularly the ancient unwritten law of England. Common law is to be distinguished from "statutory law," which is enacted by a legislative body such as Congress or a state legislature.

Community
	A city, town, district, neighborhood, or other commonly recognized geographical, social, or political area.

Community Resources
	Workplaces, businesses, places of worship, social groups, consultants, health care facilities or professionals, places for recreation or entertainment, and other facilities, professionals, or supports generally available to the population-at-large within a community.

Community Service
	A court imposed sanction that requires offenders to work in the community to repay society for the harm done by their actions.

Community Supervision
	Classification with unrestricted day and night movement and full access to jobs and programs.

Competent
	Means a person is capable of making informed decisions in specific areas regarding the conduct of one's personal and/or financial affairs. Family - Parent, foster parents, spouses, siblings, and others who perform the roles and functions of family members in the life of an individual, including persons in a relationship of mutual support with an individual that is exclusive and expected to endure over time.

Complainant
	The party who complaints or sues; one who applies to the Court for legal redress, also called the plaintiff.

Complaint
	The document on which criminal misdemeanors are charged in District Court, as well as the initial charging document for felonies.

Completed
	Having come to an end; concluded.

Completion
	Conclusion; fulfillment.

Compounding Crime
	The receipt by an individual of consideration in exchange for an agreement not to prosecute or inform on someone who they know has committed a crime.

Concurrent Sentence
	Upon conviction for multiple crimes, a criminal sentence served at the same time as another criminal sentence, rather than one after the other.

Conditional Discharge
	A conviction. Court issues the discharge from the jail and requires defendant to comply with some conditions. Regardless whether defendant complies with rules or not, he/she is still convicted (GUILTY) and case can never be expunged.

Conditional Discharge – Non-conviction
	The defendant has no finding of guilt. The court is discharging him/her from trial on special conditions that they must follow. If they do not abide by these conditions, the discharge may be revoked and the finding may become guilty.

Conditional Release
	The release from a correctional facility before full sentence has been served which is conditioned on specific behavior. If conditions are not met, the individual may be returned to the facility.

Conditions
	A stipulation in an agreement that provides for a change consequent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a stated event.

Confirmation (or confirmatory) drug test
	A second analytical procedure performed on a urine specimen to identify and quantify the presence of a specific drug or drug metabolite.

Confirmation (or confirmatory) validity test
	A second test performed on a urine specimen to further support a validity test result.

Confirmed drug test
	A confirmation test result received by an MRO from a laboratory.

Consecutive Sentence
	Upon conviction for multiple crimes, a criminal sentence served at the same time as another criminal sentence, rather than one after the other.

Consent Decree
	A court judgment in which both parties agree to work out the terms of the settlement subject to court approval.

Considerations
	A factor to be considered in forming a judgment or decision.

Considered
	Thought about or decided upon with care.

Consortium/ Third-party administrator (C/TPA):
	A service agent that provides or coordinates the provision of a variety of drug and alcohol testing services to employers. C/TPAs typically perform administrative tasks concerning the operation of the employers' drug and alcohol testing programs. This term includes, but is not limited to, groups of employers who join together to administer, as a single entity, the DOT drug and alcohol testing programs of its members.

Conspiracy
	The coming together of two or more people for the purpose of committing an unlawful act or to commit a lawful act by unlawful means.

Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA)
	A bureau that gathers and provides information about individuals - such as if they pay their bills on time or have filed bankruptcy - to creditors, employers, and landlords. Companies that perform pre-employment screening services are also considered CRAs and are governed by the FCRA, as are the employers that use background screening services.

Contempt of Court
	An act committed which serves to obstruct the court in its administration or authority.

Continuance
	The cessation, interruption, or adjournment of a proceeding until a future date.

Controlled Substance
	A drug whose availability is restricted by law.

Conversion
	The unauthorized taking of another's property.

Conviction
	The formal decision of a criminal matter which finds the accused guilty. It is the finding of a judge or jury, on behalf of the state, that a person has, beyond a reasonable doubt, committed the crime that they were accused of.

Cost-per-hire
	A common measure used in human resources to evaluate the average costs incurred in recruiting and hiring new employees. Generally the equation is total recruitment costs divided by total number of new hires. Typical components of this measure include relocation costs, advertising/job board fees, interviewing expenses, referral bonuses, recruitment staff compensation, skills assessment and pre-employment screening.

Costs
	An amount of money awarded to the successful party (and recoverable from the losing party) solely as reimbursement for certain of the expenses in prosecuting or defending the suit.

Count/Charge
	An offense named in a cause of action. A cause of action may contain multiple counts or charges, each relating to the others but identifying a separate offense.

Court
	A place where justice is administered.

Court of Appeal
	An intermediate federal court, inferior to the U.S. Supreme Court but higher than U.S. District Court. Its function is to review the final decisions of the district courts, is challenged. There is a Court of Appeals for circuit in each of the judicial circuits.

Court of Appeals
	An "intermediate" appellate court between the Supreme Court and state trial courts. Final decisions from a Circuit or Probate Court hearing may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.

Court of Limited Jurisdiction
	Court that has authority to adjudicate cases of a certain kind or up to a limited amount, usually lesser offenses. (Opposite of Court of General Jurisdiction)

Court of Record
	The court where the permanent record of all proceedings is held.

Court reporter
	An individual who makes a stenographic record of the testimony, evidence and rulings and transcribes the hearing process.

Court-Appointed Attorney
	Legal counsel assigned by the court to represent an indigent criminal defendant. A court-appointed attorney is not necessarily a "free" attorney; the court can order that some or all of the attorney's bill be reimbursed.

Credit Bureau
	A reporting agency that assembles information on borrowers to help lenders evaluate credit worthiness. You are entitled to see your credit report and dispute or add to the information you feel is erroneous. Your objection(s) must be filed in writing with the report.

Credit Card Fraud
	Use, or attempted use of a credit card to purchase goods or services with the intent to avoid payment of such.

Crime Against Nature
	Deviate sexual intercourse.

Criminal Case
	A charge filed by a prosecutor against a defendant concerning violation of a criminal law. The act of violating a criminal law is an offense against the community, not a private wrong. Examples of criminal cases include theft and murder.

Criminal Complaint
	In criminal law, a charge, preferred before a magistrate having jurisdiction, that a person named, has committed a specific offense, with an offer to prove the fact, to the end that a prosecution may be instituted.

Criminal Nonsupport
	Failure to pay child support in violation of court order.

Criminal Plea
	The defendant’s response to a criminal charge (guilty, not guilty,or nolo contendere).

Cross Examination
	The questioning of a witness by a party other than the one who called that witness to the stand.

Culpability
	Blame, or degree of responsibility for a crime. This may be in degrees of purposeful, knowingly, recklessly or by negligence.

Cumulative Sentence
	A sentence that takes effect after a prior sentence is completed for crimes tried under the same cause of action.

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D.
Dangerous
	Able or likely to cause physical injury.

Dangerous Weapon
	Something that is capable, though not designed to cause serious injury or death.

De Novo
	Latin for "anew" or "afresh". Usually used as Trial De Novo. New trial, or one that is held for a second time, as if there had been no previous trial or decision.

Dead Docket
	The case never went to trial. The case can be reopened if new evidence is submitted.

Deadly Weapon
	A weapon designed to cause serious injury or death.

Dealer
	A person who buys and sells drugs illegally.

Dealt
	To buy and sell drugs illegally.

Decision
	A judgment, as one formally pronounced by a court.

Default Judgment
	A judgment rendered because of the defendant's failure to answer or appear.

Defendant
	A person who has been formally charged with committing a crime.

Deferred Adjudication of Guilt
	The final judgment is delayed for a period of time. Can be likened to probation before a final verdict. If "probation" is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped and the case is dismissed. During the "probationary period" the disposition is not necessarily considered a conviction.

Deferred Discharge
	Dismissed and considered a non-conviction.

Deferred Probation
	The judge doesn't make a finding of guilt; he assigns probation. If probation is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped.

Deferred Sentence
	Postponement of the pronouncement of the sentence.

Defraud
	Knowingly misrepresenting facts to cheat or trick.

Degree
	(First, Second, or Third, A, B or C) Classification assigned to a crime, depending on circumstances, for purposes of determining punishment. First degree is considered most serious than third; A is more serious than C. Degrees may be assigned to the actual crime (IE: murder in the first or second degree) or the class of crimes (IE: felony or misdemeanor).

Delinquency (Criminal)
	A crime committed by a minor under the age of 17. Juvenile delinquency offenses are prosecuted in the Family Division of Circuit Court.

Delinquency (Loan)
	Failure to make a loan payment on time. You may then be required to pay a late fee, expressed as a flat fee or a percentage of the amount due

Dependent Child
	Includes children who are homeless or without proper care through no fault of their parents, guardian, or custodian.

Deposition
	An oral statement made by a person before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. The attorney for the opposition party is notified to attend the deposition where he may cross-examine the deposed party. The deposition may sometimes be used later in the trial, or it may be taken only to obtain discovery.

Dilute Specimen
	A specimen with creatinine and specific gravity values that are lower than expected for human urine.

Directed Verdict
	A determination by a jury, made at the direction of the judge. A directed verdict happens in cases where there has been a lack of evidence, an overwhelming amount of evidence, or where the law is in favor of one of the parties.

Disclosure
	Something that is made known and that was previously unknown.

Discovery
	The pre-trial devices that can be used by one party to obtain facts and information about the case from the other party in order to assist the party’s preparation for trial.

Dismissal
	Finally disposing of the cause without further consideration. May be voluntary or involuntary. When involuntary, there is usually lack of prosecution or failure to produce sufficient evidence.

Dismissal With Prejudice
	Term meaning an adjudication on the merits, and final disposition, barring the right to bring or maintain an action on the same claim or cause.

Dismissal Without Leave After Deferred
	Prosecution Charges dismissed after specified time (90 days to 1 year) provided certain conditions have been met such as participating in specified program of anger control or drug counseling or providing community service, etc.

Dismissal Without Prejudice
	Term meaning dismissal without prejudice to the right of the complainant to sue again on the same cause of action.

Disposed/Disposition
	The final outcome or resolution of a court case or criminal matter. Examples of disposed cases are those with a finding of guilt (conviction), innocence, or acquittal.

Disregard
	To pay no attention to.

District Court
	Court of the U.S., each having territorial jurisdiction over a judicial district, which may include a whole state or only part of it. The district courts are the trial courts of the Federal Judiciary.

Diversion Program
	To set aside. A court direction which calls a defendant, who has been found guilty, to attend a work or educational program as part of probation. May include some type of anger management, drug rehab, etc. If the condition of program is met, charge may be considered non-conviction.

Diversity of Citizenship
	A crime or claim which extends between citizens of different states. This is one of the grounds that can be used to invoke the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal District Court.

Docket Record
	A listing of all court actions in a case from its inception to its conclusion.

Double Jeopardy
	Being tried twice for the same offense. Jeopardy "attaches" or begins in a jury trial when the selected jury is sworn, and attaches in a bench trial when the first witness is sworn.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
	Same as Driving While Intoxicated.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
	Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Complete intoxication is not required. Individual state statutes specify the blood alcohol content at which a person is presumed to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Dual Citizenship
	When a citizen of one country takes on the additional citizenship and it’s privileges from another. What determines this is according to the original country's requirements. Some countries require you to relinquish their status if you take on citizenship in another country, others don’t.

Due Diligence
	A reasonable and expected measure of attention taken for a particular action. Not measurable by an absolute standard, but dependant on the situation.

Due Process of Law
	Procedures followed by law enforcement and courts to insure the protection of an individual's rights as assigned by the Constitution.

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E.
Embezzlement
	The taking of another's money or property by one entrusted with its possession, usually through employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
	A system of employment practices regulated by the EEOC under which individuals are not excluded from any participation, advancement, or benefits due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other action that cannot lawfully be the basis for employment actions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
	The federal agency responsible for administration of several statutes that prohibit discrimination; has power to subpoena witnesses, issue guidelines that have the force of law, render decisions, provide technical assistance to employers, and provide legal assistance to complainants.

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E.
eRecruiting
	Recruiting methods that take place via the Internet.

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E.
Escaped
	To slip or get away, as from confinement or restraint.

Evidence
	Any species of proof, or probative matter, legally presented at the trial of an issue, by the act of the parties and through the medium of witnesses,records, documents, exhibits, concrete objects, for the purpose of inducing belief in the minds of the court or jury as to their contention.

Ex parte
	On one side only. When an act is one for one party only. For example, in an Ex parte proceeding, only one party to the case is heard.

Examination
	An interrogation or search. The examination of a witness consists of a series of questions asked by a party through the action or his attorney, in order to bring before the court or jury the knowledge which the witness has of the facts or matters in dispute, or probing and sifting the evidence as previously given.

Expunge/Expunged
	To seal or purge records of arrest, criminal, or juvenile record information. When a record of an offense is expunged it will not appear on a released criminal history. The record may be destroyed or sealed after a certain period of time. Records may be expunged in juvenile cases, or upon satisfactory completion of a court-ordered probation and/or class(es).

Extended Workforce
	The portion of a company's workforce made up of temporary employees, vendor employees and independent contractors.

Extortion
	Obtaining another's property by actual or threatened force, fear or violence.

Extradition
	The surrender by one jurisdiction to another of a person accused or convicted of an offense committed within the jurisdiction demanding the individual's return.

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F.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
	The FCRA is designed to protect individuals, by promoting accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of every Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). Companies that perform pre-employment screening services are governed by the FCRA, as are the employers that use background screening services.

Felonious
	Describing an offense which is done with malicious, villainous criminal intent. IE: felonious assault.

Felony
	The most serious of criminal-type offenses. Felonies are classified as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree with 1st degree being the most serious.

Felony Conversion
	(Fraudulent Conversion) Similar to embezzlement or theft. An example of felony conversion is if someone sold goods for a company, and kept the money instead of turning it in to the company. (North Carolina)

Filing
	The commencement of criminal proceedings by entering a charging document into the official record of a court.

Findings
	A decision or verdict after judicial inquiry.

Fine
	A court imposed sanction that requires offenders to pay a monetary penalty for their actions.

Firearm
	A weapon, a pistol or rifle, capable of firing a projectile and using an explosive charge as a propellant.

Forcible Entry
	Entering or taking possession of property with force, threats or menacing conduct.

Forensic Studies
	Firearm, document, polygraph, DNA, medical, accounting, computer, handwriting experts and other known expert witnesses available to testify to their findings for Court purposes.

Form I9
	Federal form required of all appointees to verify their U.S. citizenship, or if they are aliens, their eligibility for employment in accordance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1986.

Fraud
	The commission of an act with the goal to benefit or gain advantage at another's expense. A purposeful misrepresentation with the intent to deceive.

Freedom
	The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.

Fugitive File – The case has not been to trial
	Found in Virginia. The case has not been to trial at this time. A warrant, summons or paper from the district attorney’s office was issued for delivery to the defendant to appear for trial; however, the defendant could not be located. Therefore, the case is technically pending; however, the paperwork was never served.

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G.
Georgia 1st Offender Act
	O.C.G.A. $ 42-8-62 (In Part). Upon fulfillment of the terms of probation, upon release by the court prior to the termination of the period thereof, or upon release from confinement, the defendant shall be discharged without court adjudication of guilt. The discharge shall completely exonerate the defendant of any criminal purpose and shall not affect any of his civil rights or liberties and the defendant shall not be considered to have a criminal conviction.

Government Records Access and Management Act
	The federal act which establishes procedures for accessing, classifying and sharing public, private and confidential and protected records effective July, 1992.

Grading of Crime
	Higher or lower in grade or degree, according to the measure of punishment attached and meted out on conviction and the consequences resulting to the party convicted, for example first, second, or third degree murder.

Grand Jury
	A body of persons with the authority to investigate and accuse, but not to try cases. The grand jury will listen to and review evidence to see if it there are sufficient grounds to bring an individual to trial.

Grand Larceny
	The theft of property over a specified value. Dollar amounts vary by state.

Gross
	Flagrant, out of measure.

Gross Misdemeanor
	Serious misdemeanor.

Guardianship of a Person
	Includes, among other things, authority to consent to marriage, major medical, surgical, and psychiatric treatment and enlistment into the armed forces. "Guardianship of a person" includes legal custody, if legal custody is not vested in another person, agency, or institution.

Guilt/Guilty
	Final disposition. Having committed a crime.

Guilty in Absentia – Conviction
	The jury has found the defendant guilty without them having appeared in court.

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H.
Habeas Corpus
	A writ requesting a trial or the release of a prisoner.

Habilitation
	The process by which an individual acquires and maintains the life skills necessary to cope more effectively with personal and environmental demands or to improve physical, mental, and social competencies.

Habitual Violator
	To have committed the same offence three times. Can

Criminal Records Glossary