Glossary of Court Terms

Arraignment: Court hearing when a defendant pleads guilty or not guilty, after a preliminary hearing. Witnesses do not have to testify.

Bond: Money or property that is promised or given to the court to make sure that a defendant will come back to court after being released from jail.

Continuance: When the court delays a hearing.

Defendant: A person who is accused of committing a crime.

Disposition: The resolution of a case.

Motions Hearing: A hearing where the judge decides what evidence will or will not be allowed at trial.

No Contact: A condition of bond that means a defendant cannot have contact with a victim by phone, letter, through a third party or in person.

Plea Agreement: A defendant pleads guilty in return for a certain sentence recommendation or agrees to plead guilty to a different offense.

Preliminary Hearing: A hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial. This is the first hearing when witnesses may have to testify.

Pre-Trial Conference: A meeting between the County Attorney and the defendant and his attorney to discuss possible pleas (i.e. plea bargaining).

Protection Order: A protection order is a special type of order issued by a Judge which orders someone who has been harming another person not to harm that person again. There are two types of protection orders: Domestic Abuse Protection Order and a Harassment Order.

Restitution: After conviction, a defendant can be ordered to pay the victim for “out of pocket” financial losses. Talk to a victim advocate for more information.

Subpoena: An order to come to court, which is either mailed to the witness or personally delivered.