1.

Criminal Justice The machinery of the state or government which enforces rules of
System conduct necessary to protect life and property, and maintain peace
and order.
2. Arrest It is the taking of a person into a custody in order that he may be
bound to answer for the commission of an offense.
3. Police Discretion It is the wise use of one’s judgement in a police situation requiring
an immediate and decisive action.
4. Complaint It is a sworn written statement charging a person with an offense,
subscribed by the offended party, peace officer or any public officer
charged with the enforcement of the law.
5. Information It is an accusation in writing charging a person with an offense,
subscribed by the prosecutor and filed directly with court.
6. Discernment It is the mental capacity to fully appreciate the consequences of an
unlawful act.
7. Judge A public officer so named in his commission and appointed to
preside over and administer the law in a court of justice
8. Judicial Power It is the power to apply the law to contests or disputes a legally
recognized rights or duties between the states and private persons.
9. Jurisdiction It is the authority to hear and determine cases. It is the authority
from which the judicial officers take cognizance and decide cases
correctly or incorrectly.
10. Venue It is the geographical division from which an action is brought to a
trial or the place of trial for a criminal action.
11. Constitutional Rights These are the rights conferred and protected by the constitution
and which cannot be modified or taken away by the law-making
body.
12. Statutory Rights These are rights provided by the law and promulgated by the law-
making body. It may be abolished by the body created them.
13. Civil Rights The rights which the law will enforce at the instance of an individual
for the purpose of securing to them the enjoyment of their means of
happiness.
14. Criminal Law The branch or division of the law that define crimes, treats of their
nature and provides for their punishment.
15. English Rule Crimes committed aboard vessel within the territorial waters of a
country are triable in the court of the said country.
16. French Rule Crimes committed aboard vessel within the territorial waters of a
country are not triable in the court of such country.
17. Insuperable Cause Some motive has lawfully, morally and physically prevented a
person to what the law commands.
18. Absolutory Cause It is where the acts committed is a crime but for the reason of public
policy and sentiments, there is no penalty/punishment imposed.
19. Provocation Refers to the unjust or improper conduct or acts committed by the
offended party, capable of exciting, inciting or irritating anyone.
20. Ignominy It is a circumstance pertaining the moral order which adds disgrace
or obloquy to the material injury caused by the crime.
21. Treason Refers to the breach of allegiance to the state or government,
committed by a person who owes allegiance to it.
22. Neutrality It is the condition of the nation that in times of war takes no part in
the disputes, but continues peaceful dealings with the belligerents.
23. Evidence Is the means, sanctioned by the rules, of ascertaining in a judicial
 proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact.
24. Arraignment It is the formal mode of implementing the constitutional rights of an
accused to be informed of the nature of the accusations against
him.
25. Appeal It is a proceeding for review from which the whole case is
transferred to the higher court for a final determination.