| CHALLENGING INDICTMENTS & INFORMATIONS |
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| An indictment or an information must be valid in order to charge a defendant with a crime. If the indictment or the information is insufficient, that is, if it fails to contain certain requirements, the defendant may challenge the indictment or the information by filing a motion to dismiss or a motion to quash prior to trial.
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| JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE EVIDENCE |
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| A jury's role in a criminal case is to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant. In accordance with this role, the jury must determine the weight that is to be given to the prosecution's evidence and whether the prosecution has proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In order to make its determination, the jury is given instructions by a trial court. More... |
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| JURY INSTRUCTIONS ON APPLICATION OF THE LAW TO THE FACTS |
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| A jury's role in a criminal case is to determine the guilt or innocence of a defendant. In accordance with this role, the jury must also judge the facts of the case. In order to make its factual determination, the jury is instructed on the law by a trial court. The trial court sets forth the law in written instructions that are delivered to the jury before the prosecution and the defense make their closing arguments. The jury is not permitted to receive the law from any source other than the trial court.More... |
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| OFFENSES INVOLVING PUBLIC SERVANTS |
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| A public servant is a governmental officer, employee, or agent, a juror or a grand juror, an arbitrator or a referee, an attorney or a notary public, a political party official or a political candidate, or anyone who is performing a governmental function. A person is a public servant even if he or she has only been elected to office and has not assumed the duties of his or her office.More... |
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| ATTEMPT |
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| A person commits an attempt if he or she, with the specific intent to commit an underlying offense, commits an act that amounts to more than mere preparation and fails to commit the underlying offense. In order to constitute an attempt, the person must have the specific intent to commit the offense. More... |
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