criminal court
Where trials happen
A criminal court is a court of law that hears cases involving crimes—offenses against the state or public, such as theft, assault, or murder—as opposed to civil disputes between private parties.
Criminal courts determine guilt or innocence and impose sentences on those convicted.
The term distinguishes these tribunals from civil courts, family courts, or other specialized judicial bodies.
The case was transferred to criminal court after prosecutors filed felony charges.
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- bail hearingCourt date setting release conditions
- judgeOne who decides
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
voir dire · bench trial · opening statement · conviction · plea bargain · witness stand · due process · beyond reasonable doubt · public defender · cross-examination · defendant · felony · sentencing · life sentence · bailiff · acquittal · remand · penal code
- courtsmagistrates, tribunals
- court systemsmall claims
- state courtssmall claims
- trial courtstrial judges, local jurisdiction
- French LawNapoleonic Code, magistrates, judiciary, prosecutors, advocates
- criminal justicearrest, jail, prison, guilty, trial
criminal courtcivil court
Forum for private disputes
civil litigation · small claims court · family court · probate court · divorce court
criminal courtarbitration
Non-court binding dispute resolution
mediation · arbitration panel · out-of-court settlement · negotiated settlement
court, crime, criminal, courts, courtship, courting, tribunal, courthouse, courtroom