The criminal justice system has its own language – full of acronyms, legal terms, and slang. This glossary translates common terms into plain English so you can better understand what’s happening and communicate more effectively.

Types of Courts (How Cases Move)

Municipal or Local Court

Handles:

• city-level cases
• misdemeanors
• initial hearings and arraignments

Example: “A city’s “City Name” Municipal Court

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County Court / Court of Common Pleas

Handles:

• felony cases
• serious criminal trials
• sentencing

Example: “County Name” Court of Common Pleas

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Court of Appeals

Reviews decisions from trial courts. Most states have intermediate courts of appeal between trial courts and the state supreme court, but some states send appeals directly to the state’s highest court.

Key points:

• No new evidence or witnesses
• Reviews legal errors only
• Often the first level of appeal

Example: “Number” District Court of Appeals for the State of “State Name”

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State Supreme Court

The highest court in a state.

Key points:

• Chooses which cases to hear, not all cases are heard
• Focuses on major legal or constitutional issues
• Does not hear every appeal

Example: “State Name” Supreme Court

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United States Supreme Court

The highest court in the country.

Key points:

• Hears a very small number of cases
• Focuses on federal law and constitutional issues
• Not a guaranteed right of appeal

Most cases do not reach this level.

Helpful Terms

Appeal

An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision.

Appeals:

• Do not involve a new trial
• Focus on legal errors, not new evidence
• Must be filed within strict deadlines
• Usually argue that the trial court made a legal or procedural mistake

Winning an appeal can result in:

• a new trial
• a modified sentence
• or, in rare cases, reversal of a conviction

Arraignment

The court hearing where charges are formally read and the defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

Bail

Money or property given to the court as a guarantee that the defendant will appear at future court dates. Returned when case concludes if all appearances are made.

Bond

Similar to bail, but typically paid through a bail bondsman who charges a non-refundable fee (usually 10% of total bond amount).

Booking

The process of officially recording an arrest, including fingerprints, photographs, personal information, and charges.

Call Block

When the facility restricts someone’s ability to make calls due to discipline, investigation, or facility-wide disruptions.

Care Package Services

Third-party vendors that allow supporters to purchase facility-approved packages of food, hygiene items, or clothing for people in jail or prison. Items and ordering periods are set by the facility, and availability varies by location. Packages vary by type and can include: food, sundry, etc.

CID / Inmate ID

The official identification number someone is assigned in the system. Needed for calls, visitation, mail, money deposits, and court lookups.

C.O.

Correctional Officer.

Cell

Individual or shared living space in a jail or prison, typically with bunks, a toilet, and sink.

Chow

Mealtime.

Classification

The process of determining an inmate’s security level and housing assignment based on charges, behavior, and other factors.

Commissary

The prison store where inmates can purchase food, hygiene items, clothing, and other approved items using money in their account.

Contraband

Any item not authorized in the facility. Can result in disciplinary action for possession.

Counselors

Staff members who provide guidance and support, often regarding rehabilitation or personal issues.

Count

Regular head counts throughout the day when all inmates must be in their assigned location to be counted. Also called “stand-up count” or “lockdown.”

Court-Appointed Counsel

Court-appointed counsel is a private attorney assigned by the court to represent someone who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

Key points:

• Appointed by a judge
• Paid by the state or county
• Usually handles a limited number of cases at a time
• May be assigned when a Public Defender’s office has a conflict or is unavailable

Court-appointed attorneys are licensed lawyers, but the quality and availability of representation can vary.

A Court Appointed Counsel and a Public Defender both represent people who cannot afford a lawyer. Public Defenders work for a dedicated office, and Court-appointed counsel are private attorneys assigned case-by-case. From the defendant’s perspective, both are considered “appointed counsel.”

Crisis

A significant emotional or psychological breakdown.

DOC

Department of Corrections – the state agency that operates prisons and manages incarcerated people serving state sentences.

Felony

A serious crime typically punishable by more than one year in prison (as opposed to jail). Examples include burglary, assault with a weapon, drug trafficking.

Good Time

Credit toward early release earned through good behavior, program completion, or work. Also called “gain time” or “earned time.”

Habeas Corpus

Habeas corpus is a legal action that challenges the legality of someone’s detention or imprisonment.

In simple terms, it asks the court:

“Do you have a lawful reason to keep this person in custody?”

Habeas petitions:

• are usually filed after appeals and post-conviction remedies
• focus on constitutional violations
• can be filed in state or federal court
• are highly technical and difficult to succeed on

Hole

Solitary confinement.

Indigent

Legal term for someone who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Entitled to a court-appointed public defender.

Inmate

Person who is confined in a jail or prison. Some facilities now use terms like “resident” or “incarcerated person.”

Intake

The process when someone first enters a facility, including medical screening, classification, and orientation.

Kite

A written request or message form inmates use to communicate with staff, make requests, or file complaints. Also called a “cop-out.”

Lockdown

Restriction confining inmates to their cells, usually due to emergency, investigation, or disciplinary action.

LWOP

Life Without Parole.

Mail Call

Time when inmates receive their mail.

Modified Movement

A partial lockdown; people may have limited phone time, shortened showers, reduced recreation, or restricted movement between
areas.

On the Count

When inmates must be in their cells to be counted.

On the Wall

Term for an inmate sitting or standing against a wall during certain procedures.

P.C.

Protective Custody.

Parole

Supervised release from prison before the full sentence is served. Person must follow specific conditions and report to a parole officer.

Pill Call

Time when inmates receive their medications.

Pod/Unit

A housing section within a jail or prison, typically containing multiple cells or dormitories.

Post-Conviction Relief

Post-conviction relief refers to legal actions taken after a conviction and direct appeal are complete.

These claims often involve:

• ineffective assistance of counsel
• newly discovered evidence
• constitutional violations
• prosecutorial misconduct

Post-conviction cases are difficult to win and often take years, but they are sometimes the only remaining legal option.

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)

A federal policy protecting incarcerated people from sexual abuse or harassment. Facilities must have a PREA hotline and reporting system.

Probation

Court-ordered period of supervision in the community instead of jail time. Must follow specific conditions or face incarceration.

Protective Custody (PC)

Segregated housing for inmates at risk from general population, such as former law enforcement, informants, or those threatened by other inmates.

Pro Se

Pro se means representing yourself in court without a lawyer.

A person who is pro se is responsible for:

• filing their own paperwork
• meeting deadlines
• following court rules and procedures

Courts generally hold pro se defendants to the same standards as attorneys, even though they do not have legal training. This can make pro se representation risky, especially in criminal cases.

Public Defender

A Public Defender is a lawyer who works for a government-funded Public Defender’s office and represents people who cannot afford private counsel.

Key points:

• Works full-time for a Public Defender office
• Assigned automatically if someone qualifies
• Often carries very high caseloads
• Has experience in criminal defense but limited time and resources

A Public Defender and Court Appointed Counsel both represent people who cannot afford a lawyer. Public Defenders work for a dedicated office, and Court-appointed counsel are private attorneys assigned case-by-case. From the defendant’s perspective, both are considered “appointed counsel.”

Rec/Recreation

Scheduled time for exercise, typically in a yard, gym, or dayroom.

Restitution

Money the defendant is ordered to pay to victims or the state to compensate for damages or losses.

Segregation/Seg

Isolated housing separate from general population. Can be administrative (for safety) or disciplinary (punishment). Also called “the hole” or “solitary.”

Sentence

The punishment imposed by the court, typically including length of incarceration, fines, probation, or combination.

Shakedown

Search of a cell, person, or area for contraband. Can be random or targeted.

Ship

To be transferred to another facility.

Time Served

Credit toward sentence for time already spent in jail before conviction or sentencing.

Trustee/Trusty

Inmate given additional privileges and responsibilities due to good behavior. May perform maintenance, kitchen work, or other jobs.

Visitation

Scheduled time when approved visitors can meet with inmates, either in person or via video.

Work Release

Program allowing certain inmates to leave the facility for approved employment, returning after work.

Yard

Outdoor recreation area where inmates can exercise, socialize, or engage in activities during designated times.

Don’t See a Term?

This glossary covers common terms, but every facility and jurisdiction may use different language. If you encounter a term you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask facility staff, your loved one’s attorney, or search online for jurisdiction-specific definitions. Understanding the language helps you advocate more effectively.