A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or a judge’s finding that the evidence is insufficient to convict.

When a criminal defendant is found guilty, he may file a request that a higher court review the verdict.

A hearing in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea.

A trial without a jury, in which the judge serves as the fact-finder.

A statement submitted to a court that explains one side’s legal and factual arguments.

In civil cases, a plaintiff generally has the burden of proving his or her case. In criminal cases, the government has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt.

A crime punishable by death.

A person is convicted of more than one crime may be sentenced more than one prison term. The terms either run concurrently, or at the same time, or consecutively, or one after the other. Example of a [..]

A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.

A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court, often using specialized equipment, and then creates a transcript of the proceedings upon request.