not guilty
plea - Complete denial of
guilt. In criminal cases, a necessary stage of the proceedings required to preserve all legal
issues.
not guilty by reason
of insanity - The jury or the
judge must determine that the defendant, because of mental disease or defect, could not form the intent required to
commit the offense.
- O -
objection - The act of taking exception to some statement or
procedure in trial or other proceeding. Used to call the court's attention to improper evidence or
procedure.
of
counsel - A phrase commonly
applied to counsel employed to assist in the preparation or management of the case, or its presentation on appeal,
but who is not the principal attorney for the party.
opinion
evidence - Witnesses are
normally required to confine their testimony to statements of fact and are not allowed to give their opinions in
court. However, if a witness is qualified as an expert in a particular field, he or she may be allowed to state an
opinion as an expert based on certain facts.
order to show
cause - Court order requiring
a party to appear and show cause why the court should not take a particular course of action. If the party fails to
appear or to give sufficient reasons why the court should take no action, the court will take the action. In
criminal cases, the defendant must show why probation should not be revoked.
ordinance
- A written law enacted by the
legislative body of a county, city, or town.
original
jurisdiction - The court in
which a matter must first be filed.
- P -
pardon - Action by an official of an executive branch of
government relieving a criminal from a conviction.
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