Gr 11 Law Definitions
Habeas Corpus Document that requires a person be brought to determine if he or she is being legally detained i.e. there must be grounds for detention
Preliminary hearing Held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify a trial
Due diligence Defence that the accused took reasonable care not to commit
Precedent Legal decision that serves as an example and authority in subsequent similar cases; the legal principle in which similar facts result in similar decisions
Marriage Contract Legal agreement between partners who are married or plan to get married concerning property and obligations to each other
Perjury Act of knowingly giving false evidence in a judicial proceeding with intent to mislead
Mens rea Guilty mind, the knowledge, intent or recklessness of one’s actions
(combined with actus reus makes one criminally liable)
Actus Reus Wrongful deed; the criminal act or omission to act
(combined with mens rea makes one criminally liable)
Parole The release of a convicted criminal defendant after he/she has completed part of his/her prison sentence, based on the concept that during the period of parole, the released criminal can prove he/she is rehabilitated and can "make good" in society
Hung Jury Jury that cannot come to a unanimous decision in a criminal case
General Intent Intent that is limited to the at itself and inferred from the act
Specific Intent Intent that goes beyond the act itself i.e. plan to commit further crime
Negligence Failure to exercise reasonable care that results in injury to another; damaging actions that are careless, unintentional, and unplanned
Challenge for Cause Formal objection to a prospective juror for reasons such as the jurors knowledge of the case or lack of impartiality
Vicarious Liability Principle of holding a blameless party (the substitute) responsible for another’s actions
Automatism Involuntary action by someone who is unconscious of what he/she is doing i.e.
Preliminary hearing Held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify a trial
Due diligence Defence that the accused took reasonable care not to commit
Precedent Legal decision that serves as an example and authority in subsequent similar cases; the legal principle in which similar facts result in similar decisions
Marriage Contract Legal agreement between partners who are married or plan to get married concerning property and obligations to each other
Perjury Act of knowingly giving false evidence in a judicial proceeding with intent to mislead
Mens rea Guilty mind, the knowledge, intent or recklessness of one’s actions
(combined with actus reus makes one criminally liable)
Actus Reus Wrongful deed; the criminal act or omission to act
(combined with mens rea makes one criminally liable)
Parole The release of a convicted criminal defendant after he/she has completed part of his/her prison sentence, based on the concept that during the period of parole, the released criminal can prove he/she is rehabilitated and can "make good" in society
Hung Jury Jury that cannot come to a unanimous decision in a criminal case
General Intent Intent that is limited to the at itself and inferred from the act
Specific Intent Intent that goes beyond the act itself i.e. plan to commit further crime
Negligence Failure to exercise reasonable care that results in injury to another; damaging actions that are careless, unintentional, and unplanned
Challenge for Cause Formal objection to a prospective juror for reasons such as the jurors knowledge of the case or lack of impartiality
Vicarious Liability Principle of holding a blameless party (the substitute) responsible for another’s actions
Automatism Involuntary action by someone who is unconscious of what he/she is doing i.e.