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Courts and Sentencing terms
Judges, DAs and who walks.
Blue slip A Senate Judiciary Committee custom that lets home-state senators block or delay certain judicial nominees from their states. Cashless bail Reforms that limit or end the use of money bail to hold people charged with crimes before trial, replacing it with release conditions or risk assessments. Double jeopardy The Fifth Amendment protection against being prosecuted again for the same offense after acquittal or conviction. Exclusionary rule The rule that evidence obtained through an unconstitutional search or seizure generally cannot be used against a defendant at trial. Grand jury A panel of citizens that reviews evidence in secret to decide whether there is probable cause to bring criminal charges. Habeas corpus A court order requiring authorities to justify a person's detention, a safeguard against unlawful imprisonment. Mandatory minimum sentence A law setting a minimum prison term that a judge must impose for a specific crime, regardless of circumstances. Procedural due process The constitutional requirement that government use fair procedures, such as notice and a hearing, before depriving a person of life, liberty or property. Rule of law The principle that everyone, including government, is subject to publicly known laws that are applied equally and fairly. Void for vagueness The rule that a law is unconstitutional if it is so unclear that ordinary people cannot know what it forbids.