Dictionary of Law
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confession :: legal definition


Confession - n. the statement of one charged with a crime that he/she committed the crime. Such an admission is generally put in writing (by the confessor, law enforcement officers or their stenographer) and then read and signed by the defendant. If the defendant cannot read English, he/she has the right to have his/her confession read aloud or translated. It can be used against the defendant in trial (and his/her codefendants) if it is truly voluntary.

See also: Bill of Rights confess Miranda warning self-incrimination and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

American Civil Liberties Union :: n. a membership organization founded in 1920 to de ... rk, NY 10036; tel.: (212) 944-9800.
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
burden of proof :: n. the requirement that the plaintiff (the party b ... ence prima facie weight of evidence
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
competent :: adj. 1) in general, able to act in the circumstanc ... all bases. See also: evidence will
confess :: v. in criminal law, to voluntarily state that one ... Miranda warning self-incrimination
confession and avoidance :: n. when a defendant admits the allegations in a co ... tries to avoid their legal impact.
conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer.
confrontation :: n. 1) fight or argument. 2) the right of a crimina ... s. See also: Bill of Rights witness
double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier.
examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness
excessive bail :: n. an amount of bail ordered posted by an accused ... ppeal for reduction. See also: bail
excusable neglect :: n. a legitimate excuse for the failure of a party ... See also: default default judgment
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy
judgment creditor :: n. the winning plaintiff in a lawsuit to whom the ... 's rights judgment prevailing party
jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
M'Naughten rule :: n. a traditional "right and wrong" test of legal i ... temporary insanity Twinkie defense
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
parole :: n. 1) the release of a convicted criminal defendan ... sed he will not take up arms again.
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
speedy trial :: n. in criminal prosecutions, the right of a defend ... hurt by the waiver. See also: trial

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - C

C.I.F. :: n. the total of cost, insurance and freight charge ... aid on goods purchased and shipped.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
calendar call :: n. the hearing at which a case is set for trial. ... g at which a case is set for trial.
call :: n. the demand by a corporation that a stockholder ... assessment on shares already owned.
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
cancel :: v. to cross out, annul, destroy, void and/or resci ... g, so that it cannot be used again.
cancellation :: cancel ... cancel
caning :: n. a punishment for crimes employed in certain Asi ... last century in the United States.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cap :: n. slang for maximum, as the most interest that ca ... "adjustable rate" promissory note.
capital :: 1) n. from Latin for caput, meaning "head," the ba ... count capital assets stock in trade
capital account :: n. the record which lists all basic assets of a bu ... or the alleged value of good will.
capital assets :: n. equipment, property, and funds owned by a busin ... . See also: capital capital account
capital expenditure :: n. payment by a business for basic assets such as ... y intended to improve productivity.
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
capital investment :: capital expenditure ... capital expenditure
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
capital punishment :: n. execution (death) for a capital offense. The U. ... or death. See also: capital offense
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
capitalization :: n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and ... for conversion into capital assets.