Key terms

Criminal Law:

the law that deals with people who have committed a crime or are suspected of having committed a crime.

Custody:

an adult who has custody of a child has the responsibility to make decisions concerning the daily care and control of that child.

Defence lawyer:

the lawyer who represents the accused person.

Family Law:

the law that deals with problems when relationships breakdown including decisions relating to children such as who the children will live with.

International Law:

the law that deals with relations between different countries, including agreements on human rights.

Magistrate:

makes decisions about matters which are brought before a lower court such as a local court.

Notice of court attendance:

a document that tells people they have to appear in court.

Parole:

when prisoners are released before completing their sentence on the promise that they will not misbehave.

Probation:

when people are sentenced to prison but the judge agrees not to send them to prison if they promise they will not misbehave or break the law.

Refugee:

a person who leaves his or her country to escape a threat or danger.

Sentence:

the decision of a court about how a person will be punished for committing a crime.

Summons:

like a notice of court attendance (see above).

Treaty:

a written agreement between the governments of two or more countries.

Visa:

a formal document allowing a citizen from one country to enter another country.