A
- Acquittal
- A verdict of not guilty at trial. An acquittal ends the case and the person cannot be tried again for the same offense. Learn more →
- Adjudication of guilt
- A formal finding by the judge that a person is guilty, which creates a conviction on the person's record. Learn more →
- Arraignment
- The first formal court hearing after charges are filed, where the defendant is told the charges and enters a plea. Learn more →
- Arrest warrant
- A court order, based on sworn probable cause, that authorizes police to arrest a person for a crime. Learn more →
B
- Bench warrant
- A warrant issued by a judge, usually after a person misses a court date or violates a court order. Learn more →
- Bond
- A financial guarantee that a person released from jail will return to court. Also called bail. Learn more →
C
- Capias
- A type of warrant issued after formal charges are filed when the defendant is not in custody. Learn more →
- Constructive possession
- Possession of an item, such as drugs or a gun, that is not on your person but that the State says you knew about and controlled. Learn more →
- Criminal Punishment Code
- Florida's felony sentencing system, which uses a scoresheet to calculate the lowest sentence a judge may impose. Learn more →
D
- Deposition
- Sworn questioning of a witness before trial. Florida is one of the few states that allows depositions in criminal cases. Learn more →
- Discovery
- The process through which the defense receives the State's evidence, such as police reports, video and lab results. Learn more →
- Diversion
- A program that lets eligible defendants complete conditions instead of being prosecuted, often ending in dropped charges. Learn more →
- Downward departure
- A sentence below the minimum calculated on a Florida felony scoresheet, allowed only for legally recognized reasons. Learn more →
E
- Expunction
- A court order that destroys most copies of a criminal record. Often called expungement. Learn more →
F
- Felony
- A crime punishable by more than one year in state prison. Florida felonies are third, second and first degree, life and capital. Learn more →
- First appearance
- A hearing within 24 hours of arrest where a judge reviews probable cause and sets bond and release conditions. Learn more →
G
- Grand jury indictment
- A formal charge issued by a grand jury. Required in Florida for capital offenses and for most federal felonies. Learn more →
I
- Implied consent
- Florida's rule that drivers agree to lawful breath, blood or urine testing after a DUI arrest. Refusal carries penalties. Learn more →
- Information
- The formal charging document filed by the State Attorney in most Florida criminal cases. Learn more →
M
- Mandatory minimum
- A minimum prison sentence set by law that a judge generally cannot go below. Learn more →
- Misdemeanor
- A crime punishable by up to one year in county jail. Florida misdemeanors are first or second degree. Learn more →
- Motion to suppress
- A request asking the court to exclude evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's rights. Learn more →
N
- No contest
- A plea that accepts the consequences of a charge without admitting guilt. Also called nolo contendere. Learn more →
- Nolle prosequi
- A formal notice by the prosecutor dropping a charge. Learn more →
P
- Pretrial intervention
- A Florida diversion program for eligible defendants that usually ends with the charges being dropped. Learn more →
- Probable cause
- Reasonable grounds to believe a crime was committed. Required for an arrest, a warrant and most searches. Learn more →
- Probation
- Supervision in the community instead of, or after, jail or prison, with conditions set by the court. Learn more →
R
- Release on recognizance
- Release from jail on a promise to return to court, without paying bond. Learn more →
- Restitution
- Money a defendant is ordered to pay a victim for losses caused by the offense. Learn more →
S
- Sealing
- A court order that makes a criminal record confidential and hidden from most public view. Learn more →
- Speedy trial
- The right to a timely trial. Florida rules generally require trial within 90 days for misdemeanors and 175 days for felonies unless waived. Learn more →
- Stand Your Ground immunity
- Protection from prosecution for a person who lawfully used or threatened force in self-defense under Florida law. Learn more →
V
- Violation of probation
- An allegation that a person broke a condition of probation, decided by a judge without a jury. Learn more →
W
- Withhold of adjudication
- A sentence in which the judge does not formally convict the defendant, which can protect civil rights and allow sealing. Learn more →
These definitions are general information about Florida law and are not legal advice.