| | Acquittal | Judgment that a criminal defendant has not been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, a verdict of "not guilty." | |
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| | Adjournment | Postponement of a court session until another time or place.
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| | Adjudication | A decision or sentence imposed by a judge. | |
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| | Affidavit | A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths. | |
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| | Affirmation | Declaring something to be true under the penalty of perjury by a person who will not take an oath for religious or other reasons. | |
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| | AKA | "Also known as". Used to list aliases or another name, or another spelling of a name used by a person.
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| | Alford Doctrine | A plea in a criminal case in which the defendant does not admit guilt, but agrees that the state has enough evidence against him or her to get a conviction. Allows the defendant to enter into a plea bargain with the state. If the judge accepts the Alford Plea, a guilty finding is made on the record. | |
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| | Allegation | Saying that something is true. The assertion, declaration or statement of a party in a case, made in a pleading. | |
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| | Appeal | A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court (appellate court) review the trial court's decision to determine if it was correct. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the "appellant;" the other party is the "appellee." | |
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| | Appellate | About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of a lower court (trial court) or tribunal. For example, the U.S. circuit courts of appeals review the decisions of the U.S. district courts. | |
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| | Arraignment | The first court appearance of a person accused of a crime. The person is advised of his or her rights by a judge and may respond to the criminal charges by entering a plea. Usually happens the morning after a person is arrested. | |
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| | Arrest | When a person is taken into custody by a police officer and charged with a crime. | |
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| | Attorney of Record | Attorney whose name appears in the permanent records or files of a case. | |
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