Glossary: W

Waiver.  Process whereby a juvenile court case is transferred to adult court. 

Warburton, William.  See entry for Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 

Warden.  The chief administrator of a prison.

Warden v. Hayden. [387 U.S. 294 (1967)].  "The exigencies of the situation, in which the officers were in pursuit of a suspected armed felon in the house which he had entered only minutes before they arrived, permitted their warrantless entry and search."

Warrant, Arrest.  Document issued by a  judge that directs a law enforcement officer to arrest a person who has been accused of an offense.

Warrant, Bench.  Document issued by a judge commanding a person who has failed to obey an order or notice to appear before the court.

Warrant, Search.  Document issued by a judge, based on probable cause, directing law enforcement officers to make an inspection of a person or property with the intent of locating particular evidence of a crime.

Watchman Style.  Style of policing emphasizing order maintenance. 

Weed and Seed.  Federally funded crime control effort designed to held states reduce crime rates by weeding out offenders and restoring neighborhoods. 

Wharton's Rule. The principle that more than two parties must conspire to commit crimes that naturally involve at least two parties. 

William of Ockham.  See entry for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 

Wilson v. Arkansas. [No. 94-5707 (1995)]. Provides for serving "no-knock" search warrants under exigent circumstances; each such warrant application must be evaluated by a magistrate on a case-by-case basis. 

Wiretapping.  A form of search in where communications, such as by telephone, are intercepted. 

Wisconsin v. Mitchell. [508 U.S. 476 (1993)]. Enhanced sentences for hate crimes do not violate the First Amendment.

With Prejudice.  To dismiss charges; those same charges cannot be brought up again later against the same defendant.

Without Prejudice.  To dismiss charges; those charges can be brought up again later against the same defendant.

Witnesses.  People who have relevant information about the commission of a crime that tends to incriminate or exonerate the defendant. 

Wong Sun v. United States. [371 U.S. 471 (1963)].  Landmark case establishing the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine.

Work Release.  Type of program that allows correctional facilities to release inmates for paid work in the community.

Writ.  A document issued by a judge that commands or prohibits a specified act.

Writ of Certiorari.  An order of a high court requesting that the record of a lower court be sent up for review or inspection.

Writ of Error.  A writ issued by an appellate court correcting an error made by a lower court.

Writ of Habeas Corpus.  See Habeas Corpus. 

Writ of Mandamus.  An order of a superior court commanding that a lower court or administrative body do something; frequently used to restore rights lost by defendant through illegal means.

Writ of Prohibition.  An appellate court order that prevents a lower court from hearing a particular case.

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