Victim Resources

A formal hearing where the accused enters a plea of guilty or not guilty.

A trial in which the Judge is the finder of fact, not a jury.

When the case is transferred from the District Court to the Grand Jury

If the defendant is accused of violating any conditions placed on the bond order that allows the defendant out of jail, a hearing takes place to determine the consequences (Usually return to jail).

When a person violates a civil order of the court.

The person who is accused of a criminal act.

The term is used to describe the official procedure for a defendant or their attorney to obtain legal information about the state's case.

Programs for defendants who are first-time offenders for certain crimes.  Successful completion would likely result in the dismissal of criminal charges. 

A jury of 18 people who hear evidence presented by the District Attorney's Office regarding felony charges.  The charges are drawn on a document called an indictment. It is a legal mechanism used to determine if there is enough probable cause to move a felony case from District Court to Circuit Court for a trial.

A person with a recidivist record will be identified as a habitual offender and may face enhanced punishment.

A formal charging document that is produced by the District Attorney's Office through the Grand Jury and is submitted to the Clerk of Court as the official charge(s) against a defendant. These are the charges that the state is required to prove in a trial. 

A trial in which a jury of peers is the finder of fact. 

Procedures in which the prosecutor and defense attorney argue in front of a Judge about what specifically is and is not allowed in a pending trial. 

The term is used when a Grand Jury does not find sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against a defendant. 

The procedure in which the prosecutor may dismiss a case after charges have been filed with he Court. 

The measure of standard required before a District Court Judge can bind a case over to Grand Jury or issues a warrant, 

A hearing to determine if the defendant has violated the conditions of his/her probation and subsequent consequences. 

The level of proof required by the State to prove the charges at trial.

The amount of money the Judge orders the defendant to pay at sentencing to reimburse a victim for out-of-pocket expenses.

The term is used when a Grand Jury finds sufficient evidence to proceed with charges against a defendant. 

A State of Alabama program that provides financial support for victims of crime for out-of-pocket expenses related to a crime. Types of expenses