Law Enforcement Glossary

A written sworn statement of facts, signed and certified by the affiant before a notary or authorized officer. Police affidavits are used to support warrant applications and court filings.

The formal court proceeding in which a defendant is officially charged and enters an initial plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) before a judge.

A documented record of a person's arrests by law enforcement, regardless of conviction. Different from a criminal record, which documents convictions only. Arrest records may be expunged in many states.

A review of an individual's criminal, financial, and personal history, typically conducted for employment, housing, or licensing. Law enforcement background checks use Live Scan fingerprinting through the state DOJ and FBI CJIS.

A warrant issued directly by a judge (from the bench) for the arrest of a person who has failed to appear in court, violated probation, or disobeyed a court order. Cannot be posted or resolved without appearing before a judge.

A law enforcement alert broadcast to officers in an area to watch for a specific suspect, vehicle, or missing person. Also called an APB (All Points Bulletin). BOLOs are transmitted via radio and law enforcement databases.

The administrative process following an arrest in which a suspect is formally processed into jail custody. Includes photographing (mugshot), fingerprinting, collecting personal property, and entering information into the jail management system.

The unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to every filed police report. Required for checking case status, requesting report copies, insurance claims, and all follow-up communications with the department.

The chronological documentation showing who has collected, handled, transferred, and analyzed evidence. A break in chain of custody can render evidence inadmissible in court.

The percentage of reported crimes in a jurisdiction that are "cleared" by arrest or exceptional means in a given period. Used to measure law enforcement effectiveness. National average clearance rates range from ~15% for property crimes to ~60% for violent crimes.

A serious criminal offense punishable by more than one year in state prison. Examples include murder, robbery, rape, arson, and grand theft. Distinguished from misdemeanors (punishable by up to one year in county jail) by severity and consequences.

Federal law (5 U.S.C. §552) giving citizens the right to request government records. All 50 states have equivalent "Sunshine Laws" covering state and local agencies including police departments.

The geographic area and legal authority within which a law enforcement agency has the power to act. Municipal police have city jurisdiction; county sheriffs have countywide jurisdiction including unincorporated areas.

Constitutional rights that must be read to a person before custodial interrogation. Established by Miranda v. Arizona (1966). Include the right to remain silent, that anything said can be used in court, and the right to an attorney.