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Contempt of court
Any act involving disrespect to the court or failure to obey its rules or orders. Contempt of court carries a maximum of 30 days in jail.
Battered child syndrome (B.C.S.)
Physical condition of a child indicating that external or internal injuries result from acts committed by a parent or custodian. Also termed Parent Infant Trauma Syndrome (P.I.T.S.).
Levy
A seizure; the obtaining of money by legal process through seizure and sale of property.
Pro se
A sentence releasing a convicted criminal into the community or a treatment facility under the supervision of a probation officer, requiring compliance with certain conditions. If the conditions are not met, the court orders an "Order to Show Cause" hearing as to why probation should not be revoked and the sentence imposed.
Extraordinary writ
A writ, often issued by an appellate court, making available remedies not regularly within the powers of lower courts. They include writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition and quo warranto.
Direct evidence
Evidence in the form of testimony from a witness who actually saw, heard, or touched the subject of interrogation.
Mitigating circumstance
A circumstance that may be considered to reduce the degree of moral culpability, although it does not entirely justify or excuse an offense.
Malicious prosecution
A merit less (civil or criminal) action instituted solely to harass the defendant. Such misuse of the judicial process may be the basis for an action against the original plaintiff/prosecutor.
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