CHATTEL – item, article , or piece of property which is somewhat personal and

transferable
CHECK KITING – a method of operation in which several checking accounts based
upon non – existent funds in the attempt to withdraw funds
CHILD ABUSE – any action or failure to act done by adults that endangers or impairs
the health or the emotional and/or mental development of the child
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE – evidence that does not directly prove the truth of
the fact in issue, but may established a strong inference as to the truth of the fact.
CLOSE TAILING – a moving surveillance where subject is kept constant within view:
tight tailing
COCAINE – a narcotic drug extracted from the leaves and fruit of the coca plant
COERCION – the use of forceful means or physical compelling means to obtain
information from a suspect or offended party.
COLD BLOOD – crime not committed in a fit of anger
- This is term utilized in cases relating to homicides in which there is an
absence of emotion or violent passion:
- “the crime was executed , in cold blood.”
COLLUSION – secret agreement for fraudulent or illegal purposes; conspiracy; an
agreement to defraud another of his rights or to secure an object forbidden by law.
COMMITMENT – consignment to a prison in or jail: commitment by means of a court
order or warrant of a person to a particular facility or incarceration.
COMMON LAW – unwritten of the country based on custom, usage, and decisions of
law courts as contrasted with STATUTE LAW
- Common law marriage is not solemnized by religious or civil ceremony but
effected by an agreement to live together as husband and wife;
cohabitation
COMMUNISM – a system of social organization in which goods are held in common.
COMPEL – to force
COMPUTER CRIME – frauds that are perpetrated through the misuse of an electric
machine.
COMPLAINT –
1. Legal Definition: it is sworn written statement charging a person with an
offense, subscribed by the offended party, and peace officer, or other public
officer charged with the enforcement of the law violated.
2. It is a formal allegation or charge of the offender party.
CONCLUDING INVESTIGATION – the final phase of the investigation. Terminating an
unsuccessful case or preparing a successful case for prosecution.
CONFESSION –
1. It is a statement of direct acknowledgement of guilt for the commission of a
criminal act: - an admission of criminal guilt in a person charge with crime.
2. Confession refers to the direct acknowledgement of the truth of the guilty fact
as charge on of some essential part of the commission of the criminal act
itself;
3. – a statement of suspect or accused which involves expressed
acknowledgement of truth that he is guilty to the crime charged against him
or to some essential part thereof.
Note: Confession must be voluntary in order to be admissible as evidence against
the accused.
Confession by duress, coercion, extreme psychological restraint are not
admissible in the court of law.