GUIDE ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Actus Reus - ANSW-Guilty act as an element of criminal responsibility-the wrongful act or omission that
compromises the physical components of a crime
Acquittal - ANSW-The legal and formal certification of the innocence of a person who has been charged
with a crime- To be found innocent of a crime
Acquit - ANSW-To be set free, released or discharged from an obligation, burden or accusation
Adjudicate - ANSW-To pass judgment on as a judge- To give a ruling- To make a formal judgement
Adjudication - ANSW-The formal judgment on a disputed matter- The legal process of resolving a dispute
Appeal Bond - ANSW-Operates as a bail bond for an appellant in a criminal case- with conditions of
prosecuting the appeal and/or they will surrender themselves to serve the sentence if the lower court
verdict is upheld
Agent - ANSW-A person authorized to act for another person or group when dealing with third parties
Affidavit - ANSW-A sworn written statement under oath
Appeal - ANSW-A request for a hearing to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Appearance Bond - ANSW-In a criminal proceeding, it guarantees the defendant will appear in court
every time they are ordered to do so until the case is disposed
Appellant - ANSW-A person who is dissatisfied with the judgement of a lower court and asks a superior
court to review the decision
Arrest - ANSW-A seizure or forcible restraint, The taking or keeping of a person in custody by legal
authority
Arrest Warrant - ANSW-A document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes someone's arrest by
legal authority
Assault - ANSW-An intentional act by one person to another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact
Attachment - ANSW-The legal seizure of people or property by a court order
Attorney-In-Fact - ANSW-One who is an agent or representative of another and is given authority to act
in that persons place and name
Attorney - ANSW-One who represents clients in court proceedings- A qualified lawyer
Authority, Actual - ANSW-Authority given explicitly in writing or orally to an agent by contract and/or by
power of attorney
Authority, Apparent - ANSW-Authority the public may believe an agent to possess
, Authority, Express - ANSW-Authority or power of attorney directly, firmly and explicitly stated
Bail - ANSW-To procure the release of a person from legal custody- Money or form of security given to
assure the appearance of the defendant at all stages of a criminal proceeding
Bail Bond - ANSW-A bond executed by a defendant who has been arrested with other persons such as a
surety, guaranteeing the defendant will appear in court every time they are ordered to do so until the
case is disposed- An appearance bond
Bail Bond Agent - ANSW-An appointed limited surety agent by power of attorney of an insurer to execute
bail bonds in connection with judicial proceedings for a fee
Battery - ANSW-The act of unlawfully touching another person
Bench Warrant - ANSW-An order that a judge or group of judges issue directly to law enforcement with
the purpose of arresting that individual/subject
Bond - ANSW-A written instrument in which the principal/obligor agrees to perform an act for the
obligee and a third party/surety agrees to pay the penalty should the principal fail to perform/fulfill the
obligation promised
Breach Of Contract - ANSW-An unjustified failure to perform an agreement/contract at its due date
Build Up Fund - ANSW-Funds held in trust for the limited surety agent held by the surety to help
indemnify the surety from losses caused by the agent with a portion of each premium deposited into the
fund
Burden Of Proof - ANSW-A duty placed upon the defendant to prove or disprove a disputed fact
Cease And Decease Order - ANSW-An order for an individual or business to stop an illegal activity
Capias - ANSW-A writ/warrant ordering the arrest of a named person
Capital Offense - ANSW-A felony punishable by the death penalty
Civil Case - ANSW-When a person or business/plaintiff seeking monetary value claims to have been
harmed by the actions of another person or business/defendant
Collateral - ANSW-Valued item given by or on behalf of the principal/defendant to protect the surety
from loss
Committing Magistrate - ANSW-A judicial officer who decides if there is enough evidence for a case to
proceed and whether defendants should be committed or released until trial
Concealment - ANSW-Fraudulent failure to reveal information
Consideration - ANSW-Something of value given by both parties to a contract that induces them to enter
into the agreement to exchange mutual performances
Contempt Bond - ANSW-A bond used in civil contempt cases to guarantee the principal will obey the
orders of the court at a later date