Chapter 12, Legal Terminology
Dangerous weapon OR deadly weapon
An item that is, from the way it is used, capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.
Restraining order
An order forbidding a person from doing a particular act.
Convicted
Found guilty.
Carnal knowledge
The slightest penetration of the sexual organ of the woman by the sexual organ of the man.
Lesser included offense
A crime that contains some, but not all, elements of a greater offense, making it impossible to commit the greater offense without also committing the lesser offense. Can't be convicted for both.
Dwelling house
A house in which the occupier and their family usually reside and includes all outbuildings within the curtilage, such as a garage or other outbuilding.
Aggravated assault
An assault committed with the intention of committing some additional crime.
Assault
An attempt to commit battery. In tort law: it's putting someone in fear of an unlawful touching.
Threat of force
An intimidation, or putting in fear, that is equivalent to force and will replace the force requirement.
Attempted arson
Attempting to commit the crime of arson but falling short of its commission. Also a punishable offense.
Statutory burglary
Crimes that are similar to, but not included in, the common law crime of burglary.
Rape shield laws
Help prevent rape victims from being re-victimized, by prohibiting a defendant from using the victim's sexual history as evidence against her own testimony, with limited exceptions.
Statutory arson
Other forms of arson added by statutes, such as burning of a building other than a dwelling house and the burning of one's own house to collect insurance.
Summarily
Quickly
Statutory rape
Sexual intercourse with a child under the age set by the particular state statute, regardless of whether the child consented or not.
Domestic violence
The abuse of a closely related person such as a present or former spouse or cohabitant.
Battery
The actual contact or touching of another without permission or privilege. I tort law: it's unlawful touching.
Curtilage
The enclosed space of ground and buildings immediately surrounding a dwelling house, sometimes enclosed by a fence or a wall.
Robbery
The exertion of force (or threat) against another to steal personal property from that person against their will.
Breaking
The forced entry of a secured dwelling house, that which is the security against intrusion.
Arson
The willful and malicious burning of the dwelling house of another.
Maim
To cripple or mutilate in any way.
Rape
Under common law, it is the unlawful, forcible carnal knowledge by a man of a woman, against her will, or without her consent.
Burglary
Under common law, it's the breaking and entering of a dwelling house of another, in the nighttime, with intent to commit a felony.
Sexual assault
Unwanted sexual contact.
Cyber-bullying
Using the Internet to malign or threaten someone.
Cyber-stalking
Using the Internet to put another person in fear for their, or their loved ones', safety or life.
Cyber-harassment
Using the Internet to repeatedly interfere with someone's life.
Mayhem
Violently depriving others of the use of such members as may render them less able in fighting, either to defend themselves or to annoy their adversary.
Stalking
Willful, malicious, and repeated following, harassing, and threatening of another person, intending to place the person in fear of death or serious bodily injury.
