Commonly used words
If you, or a family member or friend have experienced a crime, we acknowledge this may be a stressful time for you. You may hear many unfamiliar words.
Some commonly used words are listed below. To find the word or term you are looking for, you can either search in the search bar, or select the letter of the alphabet the word starts with.
Adjourned | Adjourned means that the court matter has been moved to another day. |
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Adult offender | Someone who is 18 years or older who has committed a crime. Can also be referred to as an offender. |
Agencies | An organisation (government or government-funded). Some government agencies that victims may interact with include:
Some government-funded agencies that support victims of crime include:
Organisations involved in the criminal justice process are sometimes referred to as ‘criminal justice agencies’. |
Bail | A person on bail stays in the community while waiting for their charges to be finalised in the court process. If the court agrees to the person being on bail, the person will usually need to agree to conditions such as coming back to court for a trial or sentencing. Bail may have extra conditions, like reporting to Police, living at a certain place, or depositing a sum of money that can be forfeited if they breach bail. It is an offence to breach bail conditions. |
Bail application | When a person accused of a crime is in prison and asks the court to be released to the community until their charge/s is/are finalised. The court will consider the bail application and decide whether to grant bail. |
Beyond reasonable doubt | The level of proof needed in criminal cases for a judge or jury to decide whether a person is guilty. |
Burglary | Entering another person’s house without permission, intending to break the law. It is also known as ‘breaking and entering’ or ‘unlawful entry’. |
Car-jacking | When someone steals or attempts to steal a car, with violence, or with threats of violence. This also includes if someone steals car keys using violence or with threats of violence. |
Case | The prosecution of one or more charges against a person in court. It may also be referred to as a ‘matter’. |
Charter of Victims' Rights | The Charter of Victims’ Rights outlines the rights a victim of violent crime - including domestic and family violence - has in Queensland. |
Child offender | Someone who is under 18 years of age who has committed a crime. The law says that:
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Committal | Court hearings held in the Magistrates Court to decide whether there is sufficient evidence against an accused person charged with a serious criminal offence. If the court agrees there is sufficient evidence, it will order the person charged with the serious criminal offence to face trial or sentence in a higher court. Higher courts are the District Court or Supreme Court. |
Committal process | Court hearings held in the Magistrates Court to decide whether there is sufficient evidence against an accused person charged with a serious criminal offence. If the court agrees there is sufficient evidence, it will order the person charged with the serious criminal offence to face trial or sentence in a higher court. Higher courts are the District Court or Supreme Court. |
Compensation | An order to pay money to a person. |
Complainant | What a victim of crime is called when going through the court process. If the person accused of hurting the complainant pleads guilty or is found guilty, the complainant will then be referred to as the ‘victim’. |
Consent | Consent means that a person freely and voluntarily agrees to something. Consent has to be communicated through verbal or non-verbal communication, including body language. It has to be ongoing and mutual, meaning that it is agreed together every time, before and during any sexual activity. Consent has to be informed, meaning that everyone involved wants to take part and understands what is involved. |
Crime | Breaking the law. Also known as a criminal offence. |
Criminal justice agencies | There are many different agencies involved in the criminal justice process. Criminal justice agencies in Queensland usually refer to:
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Cross-examination | When one party questions the opposite party in court (this can be in a trial or other type of hearing) after Evidence-in-Chief. For example, when the prosecutor questions a defence witness, or when a defence lawyer questions a complainant. |
Crown Prosecutors | A lawyer who works for the state and is responsible for presenting charges against the person accused of a crime to the court. Crown prosecutors can:
Can also be referred to as ‘the Crown’ in court. |
Custody | When a person is detained in prison or a watch-house before a trial or sentencing, if they were not given bail. |
Defendant | A person who has been charged with an offence. In court, before a person is found guilty or not guilty, they may also be called ‘the accused’. After a person pleads guilty or is found guilty by the court, they are referred to as an ‘offender’. |
Defendant child | A child under 18 who has been charged with an offence. In court, before the child is found guilty or not guilty, they may also be called ‘the accused child’. If a child pleads guilty or is found guilty by the court, they are referred to as an ‘offender’. |
Domestic and family violence | Violent, threatening, or coercive behaviour within a family or intimate relationship that causes harm, fear, or control over another person. Sometimes you may hear it called DFV. |
Diversionary programs | Alternative legal processes designed to rehabilitate offenders without resorting to traditional court proceedings, often used for first-time or low-risk offenders. |
Domestic violence order | A legal order issued by a court to protect a person from domestic violence by restricting the behaviour of the respondent. Sometimes you may hear it called a DVO. |
Evidence | Information, documents, or physical items presented in court to prove or disprove allegations. |
Evidence in Chief | The initial testimony of a witness, given in court under questioning by the party who called them to testify. Such as the prosecutor asking the complainant questions. |
Financial assistance | Monetary support provided to victims of crime to help cover expenses related to their victimisation, such as medical treatment or loss of income. |
| Forensic medical examination | This medical procedure involves a physical examination of your body, by a health practitioner like a doctor or nurse, and may include intimate examinations of genitals (private parts). |
Harm | Physical, emotional, psychological, or financial damage caused to a person. |
Home invasions | Unlawful entry into a residence, often with the intent to commit a crime, such as robbery or assault. |
Hung jury | A jury that cannot reach a unanimous or majority verdict, leading to a mistrial. |
Identifying matters | Information or details that reveal the identity of a victim, witness, or accused person in legal proceedings. |
Image-based abuse of adults | The non-consensual sharing, distribution, or creation of intimate images to harass, intimidate, or humiliate an individual. |
Indictable offences | The most serious types of criminal offences. They are generally dealt with in the Supreme Court or District Court. |
Indictment | A formal written charge that initiates criminal proceedings in a higher court. |
Indictment presentation | The process of formally presenting an indictment before a court for trial. |
Investigation | The process of gathering facts, evidence, and witness statements to determine whether a crime has occurred. |
Investigators | Individuals responsible for examining crimes, collecting evidence, and identifying offenders. |
Judge | A legal official who presides over court proceedings, ensures legal procedures are followed, and determines sentences. |
Judge-alone trial | A trial conducted without a jury, where the judge makes the final decision on guilt or innocence. |
Jury | A group of citizens selected to hear a trial and determine the verdict based on the evidence presented. |
Legal Officers | Typically employed by the State to perform legal services specialising in prosecution. |
Magistrate | A legal official who presides over lower courts and deals with minor criminal and civil matters. |
| Matter | A matter refers to a case, dispute, or issue that is being considered by a court, legal authority, or lawyer. It can involve criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings. For example:
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Medical examination | A physical assessment conducted by a medical professional to collect evidence or assess injuries related to a crime. |
Mention | A brief court appearance where preliminary matters, such as case management, are discussed. |
National Redress Scheme | A Federal government program that provides support and compensation to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. |
Non-publication order | A court order restricting the publication of information to protect the privacy of individuals involved in legal proceedings. |
Notice to appear | A legal document issued by police requiring a person to attend court on a specific date. |
Offender | A person who has been found guilty of committing a criminal offence. |
Offence | An act that violates the law and is punishable by penalties such as fines or imprisonment. |
Office of the Director of Public Prosecution | The agency responsible for prosecuting serious criminal offences on behalf of the State. |
PACT | An organisation that supports child and adult victims and witnesses involved in the criminal justice system in Queensland. Also known as Protect All Children Today. |
Parole | The conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence, under strict supervision by Queensland Corrective Services. |
Parole Board Queensland | The authority responsible for assessing parole applications and determining prisoner releases. |
Parole submission | A formal application or argument presented to the Parole Board in support of an offender’s release. |
Police Prosecutors | Law enforcement officers who represent the Police in court for summary (less serious) offences. |
Police statement | A formal written record of a witness’s or victim’s account of an event, given to police for investigative purposes. |
Protection orders | Legal orders designed to protect individuals from harm, harassment, or domestic violence. |
Redress | Compensation or acknowledgment provided to victims of institutional abuse or injustice. |
Remedies | Legal means to address a wrong, such as financial compensation or injunctions. |
Remand | When a person is held in jail while awaiting trial or sentencing. |
Remanded in custody | When a person is held in jail while awaiting trial or sentencing. |
Restitution | Court-ordered repayment by an offender to a victim for financial losses resulting from a crime. |
Rights | Legal entitlements or protections afforded to individuals under the law. |
Robberies | Criminal acts involving the use of force, threats, or intimidation to steal property from another person. |
Sentence | The punishment imposed by a court on a convicted offender. |
Sentence hearing | Court proceedings where arguments are presented by the prosecution and defence before a judge determines an offender’s sentence. |
Sexual violence | Any sexual act committed against a person without their consent. |
Sexually transmitted diseases | Infections or diseases spread through sexual contact. |
Submission to the parole board | A formal argument presented to the Parole Board regarding an offender’s eligibility for parole. |
Subpoena | A legal document ordering a person to appear in court to give evidence or produce documents. |
Summons | A legal notice requiring a person to attend court. |
Support services | Organisations and resources that help victims, witnesses, and offenders. |
The defence | Lawyers representing an accused person in a criminal proceeding. |
Verdict | The final decision made by a jury or judge on whether an accused person is guilty or not guilty. |
Victim | A person who has suffered harm due to a crime. |
Victim impact statement | A statement provided to the court and made by a victim to describe the emotional, physical, and financial effects of a crime. |
Victim-survivor | A person who has experienced a crime and identifies as surviving and overcoming the trauma. |
VictimConnect | A service that provides information, support, and assistance to victims of crime. |
Victims register | The adult victims register is part of Queensland Corrective Services (QCS). The victims register informs eligible victims of crimeabout important events in the sentences of adult offender(s) they have registered against. The Department of Youth Justice informs eligible victims about the sentences of young offender(s) they have registered against. |
Watch house | A place where people who have been arrested are detained, usually in a police station. |
Witness | A person who gives evidence in court. |