Glossary: I

Identity Theft. Stealing victims' personal information and credentials, often to make purchases.   See full article titled Identity Theft. 

Illinois Juvenile Court Act.  Legislation that established America's first juvenile court in 1899.

Illinois v. Allen. [397 U.S. 337 (1970)].  Highly disruptive defendants may be removed from the courtroom and trials may continue without their presence.

Illinois v. Gates. [462 U.S. 213 (1983)].  "The rigid "two-pronged test" under Aguilar and Spinelli for determining whether an informant's tip establishes probable cause for issuance of a warrant is abandoned, and the "totality of the circumstances" approach that traditionally has informed probable-cause determinations is substituted in its place."

Illinois v. Rodriguez.  [497 U.S. 177 (1990)].  "A warrantless entry is valid when based upon the consent of a third party whom the police, at the time of the entry, reasonably believe to possess common authority over the premises, but who in fact does not."

Illinois v. Vitale. [447 U.S. 410 (1980)].  It is not double jeopardy to convict a defendant for a more serious offense after he or she has been convicted of a less serious offense, so long as all elements of the lesser offense are not part of the greater offense. 

Immunity.  A legal defense whereby a defendant claims exemption from prosecution based on some special legal status, such as being a diplomat or being granted witness immunity by the state.

Impartial Arbiters.  Persons, usually with legal training, that mediate disputes between perpetrators and their victims under conditions of restorative justice or alternative dispute resolution.

Impeachment.  Proceeding for the removal of a political office holder.

Imperfect Defense.  A defense that reduces but does not eliminate criminal liability. 

Impression Evidence.  Objects that have retained the characteristics of materials that have been physically pressed against them.

In camera. [Latin.] In a judge's chambers.

In Delicto.  [Latin.] A finding that one is at fault in an accident or the commission of a crime.

Individualization. [Forensics].  The identification of an individual source of an evidence item, usually a particular suspect. 

In Flagrante Delicto. [Latin.]  Caught in the act.

In Forma Pauperis. [Latin.] "In the manner of a pauper."  A waiver of court costs so that indigent offenders can have their case heard.

In Loco Parentis. [Latin.] "In the place of parents."  Refers to someone other than the parents acting on behalf of a child in a juvenile proceeding.

In Re. Refers to cases filed on behalf of a single party, such as juvenile cases, wills, and estates.

In Re Winship. [397 U.S. 358 (1970)].  Requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for adjudications of delinquency. 

In Toto. [Latin.] "Entirely."

Inadmissible.  Material that cannot be used as evidence at trial.

Incapacitation.  A type of deterrence based on the idea that the only way to prevent criminals from offending again is to remove them from society. 

Incarceration.  The bodily confinement of a person to a prison or jail.

Inchoate Offenses.  Incomplete crimes such as solicitation, conspiracy, or attempt. 

Inculpatory Evidence.  Evidence that tends to increase the likelihood of guilt. Contrast with Exculpatory.

Incumbents.  Those already in political power who seek to be reelected or reappointed.

Indeterminate Sentencing.  Where a defendant is sentenced to a minimum and a maximum number of time to serve. 

Index Crime.  One of the eight crimes listed on Part 1 of the Uniform Crime Reports: rape, robbery, murder, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, theft of a motor vehicle, and arson. 

Indictment.  The formal decision by a grand jury that there is enough evidence to bring a person to criminal trial.

Indigents.  Poor people.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel.  A claim by a defendant that his or her lawyer did not conduct the defense in an adequate way; criteria for such a claim was established in Strickland v. Washington (1984)

Informal Sanctions.  Social norms that are enforced through elements of society such as families, schools, churches, and so forth rather than official legal action by the state. 

Information.  A written accusation made by a public prosecutor against a person.  Contrast with Indictment. 

Initial Appearance.  Formal proceeding during which the judge advises the defendant of the charges and decides on bail.

Initial Plea.  The first plea offered in response to a given charge that is entered into a court record.

Insanity.  A degree of mental illness that negates criminal culpability.

Insanity Defense.  A defense strategy that seeks to show that the defendant was insane at the time the crime was committed and thus could not form the necessary mental element of the crime.

Inside Cell Block. A prison design whereby cells are placed back to back in tiers in the center of a secure structure.

Intake.  The review of a case by a court official; Decisions to proceed with a case or not are often made at this stage.

Intensive Supervised Probation. (also called Intensive Probation Supervision). Similar to standard probation, but with the addition many more face-to-face meetings with probation officers.

Intent.  A state of mind (mens rea) in which a person seeks a particular result through a particular course of action.

Inter Alia. [Latin.] "Among other things."

Interlocutory Appeal.  An appeal during a trail proceeding in which the judgment of the trail court is suspended until the appeals court reaches a decision. 

Intermediate Sanction.  Punishment that restricts an offender's freedom without incarceration.

Intermittent Sentencing.  A custody sentence that is not satisfied by remaining incarcerated for consecutive days, but for specific days of the week, usually weekends.

Internal Affairs.  A unit within a police department that investigates alleged violations of improper or illegal conduct by police. 

Intoxication.  A criminal defense that generally requires that the intoxication be involuntary.

Intrinsic Force Standard.  In rape law, a doctrine whereby only the amount of force necessary to accomplish penetration is required to satisfy the force requirement.  Contrast with Extrinsic Force Standard.

Investigative Lead. Information that leads an investigator toward a solution to a case; Investigative leads often come from testimonial evidence and physical evidence. 

Involuntary Manslaughter.  Homicides caused by recklessness or gross criminal negligence. 

Ipso Facto.  [Latin.] "By the mere fact."

Irish System.  An early form of parole developed by Sir Walter Crofton.

Irrebuttable Presumption.  An assumption of the law that can in no way be contested. 

Irresistible Impulse Test.  In the law of the insanity defense, an impairment of the will that makes it impossible to control the impulse to do wrong.

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