To help you understand a background check report, we have listed the most commonly used terms and abbreviations found on criminal reports that we provide.
Charge Code or Term |
Definition |
| Aa by pub serv | aggravated assault by public servant |
| Aa/dw | aggravated assault with a deadly weapon |
| Aa/po | aggravated assault against peace officer |
| Aa/pub serv | aggravated assault against public servant |
| Aa/sbi | aggravated assault causes severe bodily injury |
| Aa/witness | aggravated assault against witness |
| ACCT | ACCOUNT |
| Acquittal | Judgment that a criminal defendant has not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| Acquitted - Non-conviction | The charges against the defendant are dropped. |
| Act phys asst w/o lic | act as physician asst without license |
| Adjudicated Guilty - Conviction | The defendant has been found guilty of the charges. |
| Adjudication Withheld | The withholdings of the rendering of a judgment of guilty or non-adjudication of guilt - (non-conviction) |
| Adjudication Withheld - Non-conviction | The court does not give a final judgment regarding the case. The defendant is given probation, a program or community service in which they have a specified amount of time to complete. If the defendant complies, the case may be dismissed, depending on the county/state. If they do not dismiss in that particular county/state, then the disposition remains adjudication withheld and the case is closed. However, if the defendant is found in violation, the case disposition may be changed and the defendant can be found in guilt. |
| Affidavit | A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths. |
| Affirmed | In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court. |
| AGG | AGGRAVATED |
| Agg aslt dw | aggravated assault with a deadly weapon |
| Agg aslt sbi | aggravated assault causes severe bodily injury |
| Agg kidnap | aggravated kidnapping |
| Agg prom prost | aggravated promotion of prostitution |
| Agg rob dw | aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon |
| Agg sex a-v ch drugs | aggravated sexual assault child |
| Agg sex a-v ch dw | aggravated sexual assault child |
| Agg sex a-v ch fear | aggravated sexual assault child |
| Agg sex a-v ch sbi | aggravated sexual assault child |
| Agg sex a-v ch/14 | aggravated sexual assault child |
| Agg sex a-v concert | aggravated sexual assault |
| Agg sex a-v concert ch | aggravated sexual assault |
| Agg sex a-v drugs | aggravated sexual assault |
| Agg sex a-v dw | aggravated sexual assault with deadly weapon |
| Agg theft 100k r&c | theft >=$100K<$200K |
| Agg theft 200k r&c | theft >=$200K |
| Agg theft 50 | theft >=$50<$500 |
| Agg theft 50 pub serv | theft >=$50<$500 public servant |
| Agg theft r&c 20k | theft >=$20K<$100K |
| Aggregate | Accumulated Amount |
| ALCH | ALCOHOL |
| Answer | The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds of defense. |
| Appeal | A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal". One who appeals is called the appellant. |
| Appellate | About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of another lower court of tribunal. |
| APPLIC | APPLICATION |
| ARD – Accelerated Rehab Disposition | Common in Pennsylvania - similar to probation however, this sentence has a dismissal and expungement eligibility providing all conditions and compliance’s set by the judge are strictly adhered to. Unlike probation - ARD cases are non-convictions. |
| ARD Program - Non-conviction | Stands for "Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program". Mostly found in the state of Pennsylvania. This program given to the defendant in place of adjudication. If the defendant completes the program, the case is closed. |
| Arraignment | A proceeding, in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. |
| ASLT | ASSAULT |
| Assault B-I | Assault to cause bodily injury. |
| ASSLT | ASSAULT |
| ATT | 'ATTEMPT' |
| Att burg building | burglary of building |
| Att burg com | burglary of coin operated machine |
| Att burg hab | burglary of habitation |
| Att burg veh | burglary of vehicle |
| Att mfg cs 400g | poss with intent man/del controlled substance |
| Att tres hab | criminal trespass of a habitation |
| AUTH | AUTHORITY |
| Bail | Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his appearance on the date and time appointed. |
| Bail/Bond Forfeiture - Non-conviction | The charges against the defendant are dropped. Not enough evidence to convict. |
| Bankruptcy | Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings. |
| Bench Trial | Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts. |
| BENE | BENEFIT |
| BEV | BEVERAGE |
| BRD | BOARD |
| Brief | A written statement submitted by the lawyer for each side in a case that explains to the judges why they should decide the case or a particular part of a case in favor of that lawyer's client. |
| burg building | burglary of building |
| burg com | burglary of coin operated machine |
| burg hab | burglary of habitation |
| burg veh | burglary of vehicle |
| Burgl | Burglary |
| Burgl Habitation | Breaking into someone's house |
| bwi | boating while intoxicated |
| c/f us gov doc | counterfeiting/forging of government doc |
| Capital Offense | A crime punishable by death. |
| Case Law | The law as laid down in cases that have been decided in the decisions of the courts. |
| cc abuse | credit card abuse |
| CERT | CERTIFICATE |
| cf/tm | counterfeiting trademark |
| cf/tm 100k | counterfeiting trademark |
| Chambers | A judge's office |
| Charge to the Jury | The judge's instruction to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case on trial. |
| Chief Judge | The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority. |
| CHRGE | CHARGE |
| CIG | CIGARETTE |
| Circumstantial Evidence | All evidence except eyewitness testimony. |
| Clerk of Courts | An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records. |
| CNST | CONSENT |
| Common Law | The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action. |
| COMMS | COMMISSION |
| Complaint | A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant. |
| Concurrent | Sentence taking place or existing at the same time as another |
| COND | CONDUCT |
| Conditional Discharge - Non-conviction | The defendant has no finding of guilt. The court is discharging him/her from trial on special conditions that they must abide by. If they do not abide by these conditions, the discharge may be revoked and the finding may become guilty. |
| Consent Decree - Conviction | This is found in New Mexico. It is designed as a disposition for juvenile cases in which the defendant pleas guilty and is place on the decree/probation for six months. |
| Contract | An agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing. |
| CONVIC | CONVICTION |
| Convicted - Conviction | The defendant has been found guilty of the charges |
| Convictions | A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant. |
| CORP | CORPORATION |
| Counsel | Legal advice; a term used to refer to lawyers in a case. |
| Counterclaim | A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff. |
| Court | Government entity authorized to resolve legal disputes. Judges sometimes use" court" to refer to themselves in the third person, as in "the court has read the briefs." |
| Court reporter | A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court and produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request. |
| Court Supervision | For first offenders in the state of Illinois, a "slap-on-the-wrist" type judgment whereby offender is verbally ordered to remain law abiding with no same or similar offender offenses committed. Fines and court costs may still be imposed. A non-conviction, this has eligibility for expungement. |
| Credit Time Served | Time spent in jail after the initial arrest but before the court appearance date. If in court, there is an additional order of confinement, this time could be credited to their sentence. |
| CRIM | CRIMINAL |
| Criminal Misc | Vandalism |
| CS | CONTROL SUBSTANCE |
| CTRATOR | CONTRACTOR |
| Damages | Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries. |
| Dangerous Drugs | Possession/Delivery of Controlled Substance. |
| dc abuse | debit card abuse |
| Dead Docket | Charges dropped / no further action taken, it is usually attached to other charges that the offender plea-bargained on. |
| Dead Docket - Non-conviction | Often seen in Fulton, Georgia. Not enough evidence that shows the defendant is guilty or that he is innocent. So case is set aside. If not brought back up, case is closed. |
| Deadly Conduct | Wielding a dangerous weapon, i.e. knife, gun, etc., or threatening to cause harm onto someone. |
| DECEP | DECEPTIVE |
| Declined | DA Declined to Prosecute. Not enough evidence to take to grand jury. |
| Default Judgment | A judgment rendered because of the defendant's failure to answer or appear. |
| Defendant | In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime. |
| Deferred Adjudication | Whereby the finds or guilt or not guilty is postponed for a period of time if certain conditions set forth by the judge are complied with. A non-conviction, this type of decision has a dismissal status with no finding of guilt. |
| Deferred Judgment - Non-conviction | The defendant has no finding of guilt. The judgment is set-aside for a deferred amount of time and the defendant must comply with any conditions give to him/her. The case can be dismissed depending on the county/state if defendant completes all requirements. |
| del cs | delivery of controlled substance |
| del mj | delivery of marijuana |
| DELIB | DELIBERATE |
| DEMD | DEMAND |
| Deposition | An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial. |
| DEST | DESTROY |
| DIS TRCON DEV | Disregard of a Traffic Control Device. |
| Discovery | Lawyer’s examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial. |
| DISEMIN | DISSEMINATION |
| Dismissed with Prejudice | The dismissal of any action with the understanding that the complainant can sue or file charges again on the same course of action. |
| Dismissed without Prejudice | Final disposition of a dismissal barring the right to file charges again or sues on the same cause of action. |
| dispense cs | unlawful dispense dangerous drug |
| Diversion Program | The setting aside of criminal prosecution into special programs or educating classes without the stigma of a criminal conviction. If specifications are adhered to, the case is often eligible for dismissal. |
| DMG | DAMAGES |
| Docket | A log containing brief entries of court proceedings. |
| Dropped - Non-conviction | Not enough evidence to convict the defendant. |
| DSMD | Dismissed |
| dui | driving while under the influence |
| DUI | DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE |
| DUS | DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION |
| dwi | driving while intoxicated |
| DWI | DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED |
| DWLR | DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED |
| dwls | driving while license suspended |
| DWLS | DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED |
| EMPL | EMPLOYEE |
| En Banc | "in the bench" or "full bench." Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating rather than the usual quorum. U.S. courts of appeals usually sit in panels of three judges, but may expand to a larger number in certain cases. They are then said to be sitting en banc. |
| ENH | ENHANCED |
| EQUIP | EQUIPMENT |
| EVID | EVIDENCE |
| Evidence | Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other. |
| Extradition Policy | The surrendering or transfer of a criminal by one state, city of country to another to answer to charges accused or convicted therein. |
| FAIL | FAILURE |
| FAL | FALSE |
| Federal Question | Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, Acts of Congress and Treaties. |
| Felony | A serious crime carrying a penalty of more than a year in prison. However, confinement time varies from state to state. |
| FIC | FICTITIOUS |
| FID | FIDUCIARY |
| File | To place a paper in the official custody of the clerk of court to enter into the files or records of a case. |
| FINAN | FINANCIAL |
| FIX | Striking a highway fixture or landscape of greater than $200.00. |
| flid | failure to id |
| FLID UV | Failure to Identify Fugitive- Unable to verify. |
| FMFR | Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility. |
| Fraud Remains Writing | Intent to destroy or fraud an application of some type. |
| Freetext | Handwritten information next to the record that did not transfer over to the database. This does not affect the actual record. |
| FRWRK | FIREWORKS |
| fsra | failure to stop and render aid |
| FSRA | Failure to Stop and Render Aid. |
| FTA | Failure to Appear. |
| Fugitive File | The case has not been to trial. Found in Virginia. The same as Returned Unserved below. |
| fwi | flying while intoxicated |
| FWI | FLYING WHILE INTOXICATED |
| GORG | Guilty of Original Charge. |
| GOVT | GOVERNMENT |
| Grand Jury | A body of citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which are presented by the government, and determine whether there is probable cause to believe the offense was committed. As it is used in federal criminal cases, "the government" refers to the lawyers of the U.S. Attorney's office who are prosecuting the case. |
| Guilty - Conviction | It has been proven that the defendant committed the crime. |
| Guilty in Absentia - Conviction | The jury has found the defendant guilty without his having appeared in court. |
| Habeas Corpus | A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted. |
| HAZ | HAZARDOUS |
| Hearsay | Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court. |
| HMO | HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORG |
| ibc | issuance of bad check |
| Ignored - Non-conviction | The case never went to trial. It was ignored by the state. |
| ILL | ILLEGAL |
| Impeachment | (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate. |
| IMPERS | IMPERSONATING |
| In Forma Pauperis | In the manner of a pauper. Permission given to a person to sue without payment of court fees on claim of indigence or poverty. |
| ind exp | indecent exposure |
| Indec w/ child | Indecency with a Child. |
| Indictment | The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies. |
| INDUST | INDUSTRIAL |
| INFECT | INFECTED |
| INFO | INFORMATION |
| Information | A formal accusation by a government attorney that the defendant committed a misdemeanor. |
| INJ | INJURY |
| inj invalid | injury to disabled body |
| Injunction | An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury. |
| INS | INSURANCE |
| INSP | INSPECTION |
| INST | INSTITUTUTION |
| Instructions | Judge’s explanation to the jury before it begins deliberations of the questions it must answer and the law governing the case. |
| INT | INTENT |
| int oral comm | interception wire/oral/electronic communication |
| INTERC | INTERCEPTION |
| INTERF | INTERFERENCE |
| interfer po | interference w/duties of public servant |
| Interrogatories | Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit. |
| INTOX | INTOXICATED |
| INV | INVOICE |
| INVEST | INVESTIGATION |
| ISS | ISSUE |
| Issue | (1) The disputed point in a disagreement between parties in a lawsuit. (2) To send out officially, as in to issue an order. |
| JPO | JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICE |
| Judge | Government official with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Other judicial officers in the U.S. courts system are Supreme Court justices. |
| Judgment | The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit. |
| Jurisdiction | (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases. |
| Jurisprudence | The study of law and the structure of the legal system. |
| Jury | Persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact. |
| keep gamb place | keeping a gambling place |
| LARC | LARCENY |
| Larceny | Theft |
| Lawsuit | A legal action started by a plaintiff against at defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff. |
| LIC | LICENSE |
| Litigation | A case, controversy, or lawsuits. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants. |
| LOTT | LOTTERY |
| LVSTCK | LIVESTOCK |
| Magistrate Judges | Judicial officers who assist U.S. District Judges in getting cases ready for trial, who may decide some criminal and civil trials when both parties agree to have the case heard by a magistrate judge instead of a judge. |
| MAN | MANUFACTURE |
| mansi | manslaughter |
| MANSL | MANSLAUGHTER |
| MARIJ | MARIJUANA |
| mfr dang drug | manufacturing dangerous drug |
| MGMT | MANAGEMENT |
| MISAP | MISAPPROPRIATION |
| MISAPP | MISAPPROPRIATION |
| Misdemeanor | A less serious crime than a felony; usually a petty offense, punishable by probation or less than a year of confinement. Sentencing varies from state to state. |
| Misdemeanor Intervention Program - Non-conviction | A program designated only for misdemeanor offenses in which the defendant may comply to the conditions of the program in order to avoid a conviction. |
| Mistrial | An invalid trial caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury. |
| MKE | MAKE |
| MTN SUPRS GTD | Motion to Supress Granted. |
| MTR | MOTOR |
| Municipal Remand | A downgraded case, sent back to a lower court for further proceedings. These cases are usually felonies that are dropped to a misdemeanor. |
| MV | MOTOR VEHICLE |
| MVI | Moving Vehicle Incident. |
| NDL | No Driver's License. |
| neg hom | negligent homicide |
| No Action - Non-conviction | The court dropped the case and did no continue with the charges. |
| No bill by grand jury | Not enough evidence to indict on charges. |
| No Billed - Non-conviction | The District Attorney never sent the case to court and it was not tried. |
| No Billed by Grand Jury | Statement that finds insufficient evidence to hand down an indictment against a person accused of criminal charge. (Non-Conviction) |
| No Information Filed - Non-conviction | Mostly found in Florida. It means the case has been dropped. |
| No Information Filed by State | Common in Florida, the abandonment or dropping of a criminal case by the state attorney usually due to the lack of prosecution (evidence). |
| No Papered - Non-conviction | The paperwork was never sent to the court by the District Attorney and the case was never filed. Therefore, it was never brought to trial. |
| Nolle Prosse | "Not prosecuted;" the ending or dismissal of a criminal case whereby prosecutor decides to proceed no further. |
| Nolle Prosse - Non-conviction | Latin for "Not Prosecuted". This means there was not enough evidence to convict the defendant. The case is dropped. |
| Nolo Contendere | "No contest;" a plea entered when defendant does not directly admit guilt or innocence, does not contest the charges filed against him, and puts himself at the mercy of the court. |
| Nolo ContendrT - Conviction | Latin for "No Contest". The defendant has pled no contest to the charges against him or her. Therefore the court finds him or her guilty. |
| Non-Adjudication of Guilt - Non-conviction | Same as adjudication withheld. |
| NORG | Not Guilty of Original Charge. |
| Not Guilty - Non-conviction | A jury or judge trial finding that the defendant is innocent. |
| NUM | NUMBER |
| OPER | OPERATE |
| Opinion | A judge's written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of judges. A dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion because of the reasoning and/or the principles or law on which the decision is based. A concurring opinion agrees with the decision of the court but offers further comment. |
| Oral Argument | An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions. |
| Other - Non-conviction | Defendant is given special provisions for one year to abide by since this is a first offense. If no further violation of the same nature, case is closed. |
| Panel | (1) In appellate cases, a group of judges (usually three) assigned to decide the case; (2) in the jury selection process, the group of potential jurors. |
| PAR | POSSES DRUG PAROLED |
| Parties | Plaintiffs and defendants (petitioners and respondents) to lawsuits, also known as appellants and appellees in appeals, and their lawyers. |
| Pending | The case has not been to trial at this time. There is no disposition to report. |
| PERM | PERMIT |
| Petit Jury (or trial jury) | A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of six persons. |
| PFM | PERFORMANCE |
| PHARM | PHARMACY |
| PHYS | PHYSICAL |
| PKG | PACKAGE |
| Plaintiff | The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit. |
| Plea | In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court. |
| Pleadings | Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer. |
| Pled Guilty - Conviction | The defendant has pled guilty to the charges against him/her and the court accepts the plea as a conviction. |
| POLIT | POLITICAL |
| PRACT | PRACTICE |
| Prayer for Judgment | Popular in the state of North Carolina, this non-conviction judgment is for first offenders whereby offender is order by the judge to remain law-abiding with no same or similar violations. Although it is a non-rendering of guilt, court costs or fines may still be imposed. |
| Prayer for Judgment - Non-conviction | Deferred Prosecution, meaning state did not prosecute. Often seen in North Carolina. For example, with worthless checks it gives the defendant a chance to pay the check before being charged. |
| Precedent | A court decision in an earlier case with facts and law similar to a dispute currently before a court. Precedent will ordinarily govern the decision of a later similar case, unless a party can show that it was wrongly decided or that it differed in some significant way. |
| Pretrial Conference | A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review evidence and witnesses, to set a timetable, and to discuss the settlement of the case. |
| Pre-Trial Intervention | "pti program," also known as diversion, criminal prosecution is set aside and instead certain programs or education’s imposed for the defendant to comply with. A non-conviction, these cases have a dismissal status. |
| Pre-Trial Intervention - Non-conviction | A program the defendant is placed in before going to trial. If the defendant complies prior to trial time, the trial will not be held for the charge and the defendant is not convicted. |
| PREV | PREVIOUS |
| Pro Se | A Latin term meaning, "on one's own behalf," in courts, in refers to persons who present their own cases without lawyers. |
| Probation | A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed. |
| PROC | PROCESSING |
| Procedure | The rules for the conduct of a lawsuit; there are rules of civil, criminal, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure. |
| Process Other - Non-conviction | Defendant was not charged on this count due to being charged for another count. |
| PROFES | PROFESSIONAL |
| PROG | PROGRAM |
| PROH | PROHIBITED |
| Prohib Sub Jail | Possessing a prohibited substance in a correctional facility. |
| PROP | PROPERTY |
| Prosecute | To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government. |
| Prost | Prostitution. |
| PROST | PROSTITUTION |
| PUB | PUBLIC |
| PWC/Theft | Passing Worthless Checks. |
| Quashed | Dismissed. |
| Quashed | To overthrow, to make void, annul. As an example, "to quash a warrant or case." |
| RCPT | RECEIPT |
| RCV | RECEIVED |
| Record | A written account of all the acts and proceedings in a lawsuit. |
| REF | REFUSE |
| Refused - Non-conviction | The case never went to trial. The state refused to hear the case. |
| Rejected - Non-conviction | The case never went to trial. The state rejected the hearing of the case. |
| REL | RELEASE |
| REM | REMAINS |
| Remand | When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings. |
| REP | REPORT |
| REPRE | REPRESENT |
| REQD | REQUIRED |
| Responsible - Non-conviction | The defendant is responsible for the payment of the fines or fees of the crime. They are not found in guilt, however, must pay what they are ordered. Often found on traffic tickets or minor violation. |
| Retaliation | Person commits this offense with the intension or knowingly harms or threatens to harm another; i.e. prospective witness or informant; to prevent or delay the service of another such as a public servant or prospective witness. |
| Returned Unserved | The case has not been to trial at this time. Found in North Carolina. A warrant, summons or paper from the district attorney's office was issued for delivery to the defendant to appear for trial; however, the defendant could not be located. Therefore, the case is technically pending, however, the paperwork was never served. |
| Reverse | When an appellate court sets aside the decision of a lower court because of an error. A reversal is often followed by a remand. |
| RQST | REQUEST |
| RSP | RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY |
| SBI | SERIOUS BODILY INJURY |
| SCH | SCHEDULE |
| sedd | securing execution of document by deception |
| SEDD | or (SEC EXE DOCUMENT DEC) Securing Execution of Document by Deception. |
| Sentence | The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime. |
| Sequester | To separate. Sometimes juries are isolated from outside influences during their deliberations. |
| SER | SERVICE |
| Service of Process | The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party. |
| Settlement | Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims. |
| Shock Probation | Placed into rehab for the crime committed. The rehab illustrates what kind of harm they have placed on the victim by having the criminal listen to stories and videos of actual victims. |
| Sidebar | A conference between the judge and lawyers held out of earshot of the jury and spectators. |
| SIM | SIMULATE |
| SLD | SOLID |
| SOCTY | SOCIETY |
| SPD | SPEEDING |
| SPDG | SPEEDING |
| SR | SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY |
| Statute | A law passed by a legislature. |
| Statute of Limitations | A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights. |
| Stay of Execution | The delay in issuing a sentence until a future time, generally allowed in appealed or erroneous proceedings cases. |
| STET | Common in Maryland "Put on the shelf" the setting aside of judgment or further proceedings of a case for a period of time pending certain specified conditions set forth by judge are adhered to. |
| Stet Docket - Non-conviction | Will not prosecute at this time. Eligible to be re-opened for one year if a violation is committed during that time. After the one-year period and no violations have been committed, it cannot be re-opened and the case is closed. |
| STMT | STATEMENT |
| Stricken Off Leave - Non-conviction | Often seen in Illinois. Stricken off docket with the ability to reinstate at a later date if deemed case can be prosecuted. This is often because the prosecutors run out of time to prosecute. |
| Subpoena | A command to a witness to appear and give testimony. |
| Subpoena Duces Tecum | A command to a witness to produce documents. |
| Summary Judgment | A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when there is no dispute as to the facts of the case, and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. |
| Summary Judgment | A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial, usually when there is no dispute in effect. |
| SUPP | SUPPRESS |
| SUSP | SUSPEND |
| Suspended of Imposition of Sentence | A sentence (usually jail) that the judge allows the person to avoid serving, providing certain conditions and/or specifications is strictly adhered to. (Non-Conviction) |
| SYS | SYSTEM |
| TEL | TELEPHONE |
| Temporary Restraining Order | Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held. |
| Testimony | Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries. |
| Theft Check 20 | Theft by check for less than $20. |
| Theft Enhanced | Record Before 1994: Theft of property less than $750. Enhanced: Has been convicted at least 2 times before for the same crime. Considered 3rd Degree felony. Record After 1994: Theft of property less than $1500. Enhanced: Has been convicted at least 2 times before for the same crime. Considered State Jail Felony. |
| theft serv 100k | theft >=$100K<$200K |
| theft serv 20 | theft >=$20<$50 |
| theft serv 20k | theft >=$20K<$100K |
| theft serv200k | theft >=$200K |
| Tort | A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident. |
| Transcript | A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition. |
| TRANSF | TRANSFER |
| TRANSP | TRANSPORT |
| True Billed | An indictment; a statement made by a grand jury that finds sufficient evidence against an individual to proceed with a case. |
| U.S. Attorney | A lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases for the federal government. |
| ucw | unlawful carrying of weapon |
| UCW | UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF WEAPON |
| UNAUTH | UNATHORIZED |
| UNL | UNLAWFUL |
| UPF | unlawful possession firearm by felon |
| Uphold | The decision of an appellate court not to reverse a lower court decision. |
| Uuev | unlawful use of emergency vehicle |
| UUEV | UNLAWFUL USE OF EMERGENCY VEHICLE |
| UUMA | UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MOTOR VEHICLE |
| Uumv | unauthorized use of motor vehicle |
| UUMV | UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MOTOR VEHICLE |
| Vacated | To render of no effect a judgment decision, order or case. |
| VACC | VACCINATION |
| VEH | VEHICLE |
| Venue | The geographical location in which a case is tried. |
| Verdict | The decision of a petit jury or a judge. |
| VICT | VICTIM |
| Voir Dire | The process by which judges and lawyers select a petit jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court. "Voir dire" is a phrase meaning "to speak the truth." |
| vssa | violation of state securities act |
| Waived - Conviction | Mainly found in the state of North Carolina. This means the defendant has waived his/her right to trial and has pled guilty to the charges. In turn, the court accepts the plea of guilt. |
| Warrant | A written order directing the arrest of a party. A search warrant orders that a specific location be searched for items, which if found, can be used in court as evidence. |
| Witness | A person called upon by either side in a lawsuit to give testimony before the court or jury. |
| Writ | A formal written command issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act. |
| Writ of Certiorari | An order issued by the Supreme Court directing the lower court to transmit records for a case for which it will hear on appeal. |