Disclaimer: These definitions are intended to give the layperson a general understanding of criminal law and procedure, and Oak Point Department operations. They are not official or statutory definitions of any jurisdiction. No definition herein is intended to be relied on in any legal matter.

A/O: Abbreviation, often used in case reporting, for "arresting officer."

Admission: A person's acknowledgment of his/her involvement in criminal behavior, but not in itself sufficient to establish guilt. Example: a suspect acknowledges having been at the crime scene, but does not confess to having committed the crime.

Aggravated (offense; e.g. aggravated assault, aggravated battery): A condition which makes an offense more serious, and subjects the offender to greater punishment. Example: using a deadly weapon, or wearing clothing that conceals one's identity, in the commission of an assault constitutes aggravated assault.

a.k.a.: Abbreviation for "also known as"; synonym for "alias."

Arrest: To take a person into custody, by authority of law, for the purpose of charging him/her with a criminal offense. An arrest is proper when an officer observes criminal behavior or reasonably believes the individual has engaged in criminal behavior; or upon warrant issued by a judge or magistrate.

Assault and Battery: Two distinct offenses which can occur independently or together. Assault is placing someone in reasonable apprehension of a battery, e.g. by making threatening statements or raising a fist. Battery is causing bodily harm to a person by any means, or making physical contact with a person of an insulting or provocative nature.

Burglary: Illegally entering or remaining in a building, vehicle, or water craft, with intent to commit any felony or theft therein.

Complaint: A statement under oath whereby a witness accuses an individual of criminal behavior. Although a complaint may trigger an arrest, it is not in itself sufficient in Texas and most jurisdictions to bring the offender before a criminal court.

Confession: A person's admissions of enough facts to establish his or her guilt of a particular crime.

Conspiracy: Agreement with another, or others, to commit a crime, and an act by any party to the agreement in furtherance of the agreement.

Criminal Action: A lawsuit in which the state or the public, rather than a private party, is plaintiff, and the defendant faces punishment such as a fine or incarceration if convicted.

Disorderly Conduct: An act which unreasonably alarms or disturbs another and provokes as breach of the peace.

EMT: (Emergency Medical Technician):

Felony: An offense for which a sentence of death or a term of imprisonment for one year or more is provided.

Grand Jury: A panel of registered voters which considers charges a prosecutor has filed against an accused, and/or investigates criminal activity on its own direction. The use of the grand jury varies throughout the country. In some states, it is mandatory for all felony charges. In others, there is no grand jury system at all. Texas has a grand jury system, but its use in a particular case is a matter of prosecutorial discretion.

Homicide: The unlawful killing of a human being. Includes both murder and manslaughter.

Indictment: An accusatory document presented by a grand jury to the court, charging a named individual with a crime.

Information Report: An accusatory document filed in court by a prosecutor, without indictment, charging a named individual with a crime. The term derives from the prosecutor's statement that he makes his charges based on his "information and belief" rather than firsthand knowledge.

Intimidation: To threaten another in order to influence his behavior. The threat may include physical harm, restraint, confinement, or accusations of crime (even if true).

Juvenile: A person under 17 years of age, also referred to as a youth. Also see minor.

L.K.A.: Abbreviation for "last known address."

Misdemeanor: An offense for which the maximum term of incarceration is less than one year.

Offense: A violation of the criminal law of the state or local jurisdiction.

Petty Offense: An offense for which the only allowable penalty is a fine.

Probable Cause: A reasonable belief, based on available information, that a person has committed a crime. A court must find probable cause before it issues a search or arrest warrant, or authorizes the pre-trial detention of a person arrested without a warrant.

Rank: Sworn Ranks in the Oak Point Department of Public Safety are as follows:

R/O: Abbreviation for "responding officer," a term used in police case reporting.

Statute of Limitations: The period of time within which a lawsuit must be brought, after which it is barred for lapse of time. 

Sworn Member: A member of the Oak Point Department of Public Safety who takes an oath to support the constitution of the United States and Texas. A sworn member has the authority to make arrests and carry firearms.

Watch: A DPS shift. The DPS  workday is divided into two watches.