HomeMy WebLinkAboutvau brochure - MDR2How long will I be in court?
You may be excused after a few minutes or you
might be needed for more than a day. Most
witnesses are on the witness stand less than an hour.
There is usually a waiting period so you may want to
bring something to read.
Call the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit if you need to
know in advance how long you are expected to be
available to testify or if you have questions about
where to park, dress code for court, etc.
What can I do with my children?
Court can be long and complex. It is not a good
place to entertain children so try to find a relative,
neighbor or friend to care for your children at home.
If you are unable to do so, call the Victim/Witness
Assistance Unit for help.
Will I be safe at court?
If you have concerns about your safety, talk to the
Victim/Witness Assistance Unit. As needed,
arrangements can be made for separate waiting
areas and other safety measures.
What if the defendant is not convicted?
You may feel that justice has failed, but it is important
to remember that our system calls for guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt. With your help, the Prosecutor's
Office will do as much as it can to get a conviction but
it may not be enough. As strong as the evidence
may seem to you, the judge or jury might have
reasonable doubts. Even if there is no conviction, the
offender may be discouraged from committing future
crimes.
Definitions
Acquittal — a discharge or release which takes place when
the judge or jury finds a verdict of not guilty after a trial.
Arraignment — a hearing at which the defendant is formally
notified of the charges and at which time a plea of not guilty,
guilty, or no contest is entered. If a not guilty plea is
entered, the case is given a trial date.
Bail — an amount of money set by the police or court which
must be posted or pledged before an accused may be
released from jail to assure the person's presence in court.
Bench Warrant — a written court order directing the police
or sheriff to arrest a person who has failed to appear at
court, failed to follow a court order, or has been indicted by
the Grand Jury for a crime.
Contempt — willful disobedience to or open disrespect for a
court or judge.
Defendant — a person arrested and charged with
committing a crime.
Deferred Acceptance of Guilty Plea (DAG) or Deferred
Acceptance of No Contest Plea (DANC) — a pretrial
procedure where the judge delays acceptance of the
defendant's plea of guilty or no contest and places the
defendant on probation with conditions. The charges may
be dismissed upon successful completion of the terms and
conditions set by the court.
Dismissed — the court can dismiss the charges against a
defendant for a number of reasons. This does not mean the
person was found "not guilty".
Felony — a crime punishable by more than a year in jail.
Grand Jury — a jury of 8-16 people who determine if there is
probable cause to believe that the suspect committed the
crime. Defendant, defense attorney and judge are not
present at this proceeding.
Indict — to formally accuse in writing.
Misdemeanor — a crime with a punishment of no more than
one year in jail.
No Contest or "Nolo Contendere" — a Latin phrase
meaning "I will not contest it". The principal difference
between a plea of guilty and a plea of no contest is that the
latter may not be used against the defendant in a civil action
based on the same acts.
Penal Summons — an official complaint with a set court
date.
Plea — a defendant's answer to a charge filed against him or
her (guilty, not guilty, no contest).
Preliminary Hearing — a procedure at which a judge
determines if there is probable cause to believe that the
defendant committed the crime.
Probable Cause — a reasonable belief which supports that
a defendant did actually commit the crime.
Prosecutor — a lawyer who represents the State in criminal
proceedings and is responsible for bringing the accused to
justice.
Released — after arrest, the defendant may be released with
no charge, or released pending further investigation.
Sentencing — when the court decides on the punishment to
be given to the defendant after a defendant pleads guilty to
a crime or is found guilty after a trial.
Trial — a proceeding at which evidence is presented to a
judge or jury who then must decide beyond a reasonable
doubt whether the defendant committed the crimes.
Verdict — the formal decision or finding of guilty or not guilty
made by a judge or jury at the end of a trial.
Victim Impact Statement — input provided by the victim
about the impact of the crime. Used at sentencing or
hearings before the Paroling Authority.
This project was supported by Award No. 2007-VA-GX-0045 by
the Office for Victims of Crime, OJP.
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
VICTIM
ASSISTANCE
UNIT
East Hawaii Unit
655 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hl 96720
West Hawaii Unit
81-980 Haleki`i Street
Suite 150
Ph: 808-934-3306 Kealakekua, HI 96750
Toll free: 1-800-901-4021 Ph: 808-322-2552
Toll free: 1-800-321-8712
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
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