api: YAML JSON TOON Database
version: 1.0.0
format: yaml
dataset:
  id: 2768
  slug: criminal-law-terms
  title: Criminal Law Terms
  description: Fundamental terms in criminal law.
  summary: "Core terms of criminal law and procedure: felony and misdemeanor, mens rea and actus reus, burden and standard of proof, and plea bargains, plus arraignment, indictment, bail, probable cause, Miranda warnings, habeas corpus, double jeopardy and sentencing terms."
  use_when:
    - You need a precise definition of a criminal-law or procedure term.
    - You are reading news or court documents that use these terms.
  caveats:
    - Terms and procedures vary by country and by US state; the entries describe common usage, mostly from the US and common-law systems.
    - Not every legal system distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors.
  related:
    - contract-formation-elements
    - legal-systems-common-vs-civil
    - major-us-constitutional-amendments
  entry_count: 21
  fields:
    - section: data
      field: term
      type: string
      example: Felony
    - section: data
      field: description
      type: string
      example: Serious crime typically punishable by more than…
  category: Law
  category_slug: law
  tags: law,criminal,legal-terms
  view_count: 41
  created_at: 1793403093
  updated_at: 1793403093
data:
  - term: Felony
    description: Serious crime typically punishable by more than one year.
  - term: Misdemeanor
    description: Less serious offense with lighter penalties.
  - term: Mens Rea
    description: Mental state or intent behind a crime.
  - term: Actus Reus
    description: The physical act or unlawful omission.
  - term: Burden of Proof
    description: Obligation to prove allegations.
  - term: Beyond Reasonable Doubt
    description: High standard of proof required in criminal cases.
  - term: Plea Bargain
    description: Agreement between prosecutor and defendant to resolve a case.
  - term: Arraignment
    description: A hearing at which the accused is told of the charges and enters a plea.
  - term: Indictment
    description: A formal accusation by a grand jury that there is enough evidence to bring a person to trial.
  - term: Bail
    description: Money or other security that allows an accused person to be released while awaiting trial.
  - term: Probable Cause
    description: A reasonable basis to believe a crime was committed, required for arrests and warrants.
  - term: Miranda Warning
    description: In the US, the notice of the right to remain silent and to counsel given before custodial interrogation.
  - term: Habeas Corpus
    description: A court order requiring that a detained person be brought before a judge to test whether the detention is lawful.
  - term: Double Jeopardy
    description: The principle that a person cannot be tried twice for the same offense after an acquittal or conviction.
  - term: Acquittal
    description: A finding that the accused is not guilty of the charge.
  - term: Statute of Limitations
    description: A time limit after which charges can no longer be brought for an offense.
  - term: Probation
    description: A sentence served in the community under supervision instead of in prison.
  - term: Parole
    description: Conditional early release from prison with supervision.
  - term: Entrapment
    description: A defense claiming that law enforcement induced a person to commit a crime they would not otherwise have committed.
  - term: Accomplice
    description: A person who knowingly helps another commit a crime.
  - term: Recidivism
    description: A relapse into criminal behavior after punishment or treatment.