Criminal Law

Summons refers to an official notice or command, typically issued to compel someone to appear in court or to answer a legal matter. It can also mean the act of summoning someone or something, bringing them to attention or call. The term is often used in legal contexts and formal communications, signaling an authoritative request or obligation.

Surveillance is the systematic close observation of people, activities, or information, typically for security or management purposes. It involves careful monitoring, data gathering, and analysis to detect, prevent, or respond to potential threats or behaviors. The term emphasizes ongoing, often covert, oversight across spaces or communications.

The noun theft refers to the act of taking someone else’s property without permission, typically with intent to deprive. It denotes a crime or wrongdoing involving misplaced ownership, and is used in legal, academic, and everyday contexts to discuss crime rates, policy, or personal loss. The word emphasizes the act rather than the thief, and is often paired with phrases like “petty theft” or “theft deterrence.”

Tort is a legal wrong or civil wrong, giving the injured party a right to seek remedies. In law, it covers wrongful acts leading to civil liability, excluding breaches of contract. The term is also used in medicine or science as a verb form meaning to twist or distort, though this is far less common. In everyday usage, tort is primarily encountered in phrases like tort law or medical torts.

Trespassing (noun) refers to the act of entering someone else’s property or restricted area without permission. It can also describe the offense of infringement or intrusion, especially in legal contexts. The term emphasizes unlawful entry and encroachment, and is used in both everyday language and formal statutes or charges.

A trial is a formal examination or proceeding, typically in a court of law, to determine a person’s guilt or innocence or to resolve a dispute. It can also refer to a test or experimental process to assess performance, quality, or feasibility. In both senses, it involves presenting evidence, arguments, and witnesses under established rules and procedures.

Vandalism is the act of deliberately damaging or destroying property, typically as a protest or act of rebellion. It refers to deliberate, unlawful defacement or destruction, often vandalizing buildings, mailboxes, or public spaces. The term emphasizes intentional damage rather than accidental harm and carries legal consequences in many jurisdictions.

Voir Dire is a legal term referring to the preliminary examination of potential jurors by a judge or attorneys to assess suitability for jury service. It is typically conducted to uncover biases and determine impartiality. In practice, the phrase marks the start of jury selection in courts and is used both in civil and criminal proceedings.

Warrant (noun or verb) refers to a document authorizing action or to justify or guarantee something. It denotes a formal authorization, protection, or reason to justify a claim or action. In law, it functions as a legally binding warrant; in everyday use, it signals grounds or justification for a belief or action, or a security that guarantees something.

Witness refers to a person who sees an event happen and can testify about it, or to the act of witnessing itself. It denotes firsthand observation and the formal or legal verification of facts, often carrying an implied duty of testimony or corroboration. In broader use, it can mean bearing witness to something emotionally or morally significant. The term operates across legal, social, and narrative contexts, anchoring credibility and witness-oriented action.