Loading
Loading page.
All glossary tracks
17 definitions7 resources
Knowledge track
Criminal Law Terms
Criminal Law glossary terms connected to legal problems, guides, resources, lawyers, law firms, and booking paths.
Term finder
Explore Criminal Law Terms
01
Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Accused person
A person formally charged in a criminal case and required to answer the charge through the criminal court process.
Read definition02Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Arrest
The lawful taking of a person into custody by police or another authorised official in connection with an alleged offence or legal process.
Read definition03Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Bail
A legal process that may allow an arrested or accused person to be released from custody while the criminal case continues, usually subject to conditions.
Read definition04Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Bail appeal
A legal challenge to a bail decision, usually where bail was refused or bail conditions are disputed.
Read definition05Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Charge sheet
A criminal court document that sets out the charge or charges an accused person must answer.
Read definition06Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Criminal appeal
A court process used to challenge a criminal conviction, sentence, or both, depending on the procedural route and facts.
Read definition07Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Criminal Lawyer
Criminal Lawyer describes legal help linked to criminal law, including matters such as arrest, bail, and criminal charges.
Read definition08Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Criminal record
An official record linked to a person's criminal conviction history, usually connected to fingerprints, court outcomes, and police record systems.
Read definition09Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Criminal sentence
The punishment or order imposed by a criminal court after conviction, based on the offence, facts, law, and personal circumstances.
Read definition10Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Diversion
A criminal-justice process that may route a qualifying matter away from ordinary prosecution or trial, often with conditions or a programme.
Read definition11Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Expungement
A legal process for removing or clearing a qualifying criminal record from official record systems, subject to statutory requirements.
Read definition12Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Fair trial
The constitutional right of an accused person to have criminal proceedings conducted lawfully, openly, and fairly.
Read definition13Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Plea in criminal court
The accused person's formal answer to a criminal charge, commonly guilty or not guilty, recorded in court.
Read definition14Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Right to remain silent
A constitutional protection that allows a suspect, arrested person, or accused person not to answer questions or testify in certain criminal-process contexts.
Read definition15Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Schedule 5 offence
A category of serious offence listed in Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act, often relevant to bail procedure and the burden of showing release should be granted.
Read definition16Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Schedule 6 offence
A category of very serious offence listed in Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act, often linked to stricter bail requirements.
Read definition17Criminal Law TermsFeatured
Victim impact statement
A statement describing how an offence affected a victim or complainant, often considered during sentencing or related criminal-process steps.
Read definitionRelated resources
Resources connected to this track
Move from a definition into practical guidance and preparation.
Court Process Resource
Criminal Charge Preparation Checklist
Court preparation checklist for charge details, bail documents, witness information, and first appearance planning.
Criminal LawChecklistCriminal Lawyer Preparation Checklist for Cape Town
Prepare for a Cape Town criminal-law consultation by organising charge details, arrest or warning papers, bail status, court dates, evidence, witness information, and urgent risk questions.
Criminal LawChecklistCriminal Lawyer Preparation Checklist for Pretoria
Prepare for a Pretoria criminal-law consultation by organising charge details, arrest or warning papers, bail status, court dates, evidence, witness information, and urgent risk questions.
Criminal LawPreparation PackBail Hearing Preparation Pack
Prepare for an urgent bail-hearing consultation by organising charge details, arrest and detention information, court date, personal circumstances, address and employment proof, dependants, medical needs, prior cases, and lawyer questions.
Criminal LawChecklistArrest Rights First Steps Checklist
Arrest Rights First Steps Checklist for preparing documents, facts, dates, and questions connected to family law.
Family LawCourt Process ResourceCriminal Court Preparation Pack
Criminal Court Preparation Pack for understanding court steps, filings, evidence, deadlines, and lawyer handover points in criminal law.
Criminal LawLegal help
Find lawyers and firms for this knowledge track
Use the glossary terms above to understand the language, then move into lawyer and law firm discovery when the issue needs legal support.
Practice area
Criminal Law
Arrest, bail, criminal charges, court appearances, criminal records, expungement, and defence lawyer discovery.