Glossary: J

Jacobson v. United States [503 U.S. 540 (1992)].  A recent restatement of entrapment law:  "In their zeal to enforce the law, Government agents may not originate a criminal design, implant in an innocent person's mind the disposition to commit a criminal act, and then induce commission of the crime so that the Government may prosecute."

Jencks Materials.  Material that is discoverable before a trail; established in Jencks v. United States (1957). 

Johnson v. Avery. [393 U.S. 483 (1969)].  If no other form of legal assistance is available, prisons cannot prohibit "jailhouse lawyers" from rendering legal aid to other inmates.

Judge.  A political officer who is elected or appointed to preside over a court of law.

Judgment.  The final determination by a court in a case.

Judicial Activism. Term referring to the Supreme Court's practice of using its power to achieve social goals.

Judicial Appointments.  The selection of judges by those having the authority to do so, such as governors and the President.

Judicial Instructions. Specific cautions made by judges to jurors, prosecutors, and defense counsel to do or not to do something.

Judicial Misconduct.  Departure of a judge from conduct becoming a judicial official.

Judicial Waiver.  Decision by a juvenile judge to waive a juvenile to the jurisdiction of criminal court.

Jumping Bail.  The act of leaving the jurisdiction of the court when on bail; an attempt to avoid prosecution.

Jurisdiction.  1.  The power of a court to hear and determine a particular type of case.  2. The territory within which an entity may legally exercise authority, such as a city, county, or state.

Jurisprudence.  The science or philosophy of law.

Juror Misconduct.  Any impropriety by a juror; activities such as accepting gratuities, sleeping during a trial, etc.

Jury.  See Petit Jury and Grand Jury.

Jury Nullification.  Where a jury refuses to accept the validity of evidence at trail and acquits or convicts on a lesser offense.

Jury Panel.  A list of potential jurors summoned to court; the petit jury is selected from the jury panel.

Jury Poll. Before a verdict is entered into the record, an officer of the court asks each juror whether the stated verdict is his or her own.

Jury Pool.  The population from which a jury is selected; usually a list of people compiled from public records such as voter registration.

Jury Selection.  The process by which a jury is empanelled.

Jury Sequestration.  A process whereby a jury is isolated from the public during a trial.

Justification.  A defense where conduct that is normally criminal is not criminal under the circumstances.

Juveniles.  Persons who have not yet reached the age of majority.

Juvenile Boot Camps.  See full article titled Juvenile Boot Camps. 

Juvenile Death Penalty.  See full article titled Juvenile Death Penalty. 

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.  Federal legislation designed to compel states to deal differently with their juvenile offenders; encourages the use of community based treatment alternatives to institutionalization.

Juvenile Justice System.  The system through which juveniles are processed, adjudicated, and corrected.

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