Common Police Terms That You Should Know
The attorneys at Avera & Smith prioritize ensuring that our clients and the community as a whole have the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions when legal matters arise. The legal system in the United States is highly complex and not everyone may be aware of its nomenclature. If you are ever in an unfortunate situation where you are arrested or involved in an accident, the use of legal terms and jargon overheard from law enforcement officers and the like can be very destabilizing and upsetting. Understandably, this may cause unnecessary confusion and stress for the individuals involved. Below are some of the top legal terms that may help if you are ever in such a situation.
What is a LEO?
The LEO police term stands for Law Enforcement Officer, and the description can be applied to more than only police officers. A LEO can also mean a sheriff, state trooper or any other federal agent that enforces laws within his or her respective jurisdiction. Jargon and other nomenclature that can be confusing for the general public will be primarily used by these individuals as it is their profession.
What are common LEO Police Terms?
Some of the more common phrases that will be used by a police officer or other LEO in a situation where they are called to the scene are:
Accident Report
An accident report is written up by the investigating LEO who responds to a request for assistance at the scene of a car accident. This document summarizes information regarding the accident and is useful in any litigation that may follow.
Learn more about the importance of requesting an accident report.
Arrested v. Charged
Although you may have been arrested, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have been charged with a crime. Being charged means that a person has been formally accused or indicted. It is important to be aware of this distinction.
Miranda Rights
We have all seen a film or television show that involved a suspect being read their Miranda Rights. Never forget that these rights also pertain to you and a LEO must speak these words to you either during arrest or while in custody.
The Miranda warning involves the four below points:
- You have the right to remain silent
- Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law
- You have the right to an attorney
- If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you
If you think that your Miranda Rights have been violated, you must notify your attorney because it can have a major impact on your court case.
Plead the 5th (Amendment)
If you are ever questioned by a LEO, always keep in mind that you have the right to “Plead the 5th” meaning that you are not forced to admit anything that could cause self-incrimination.
Interrogation
If you are asked questions by the police while in custody, this constitutes an interrogation. You do not have to answer these questions, and the fact that you remain silent is not an admission of guilt. If you ask for a lawyer (which is your right!), the police must terminate all questioning until a lawyer is present.
Bond
Bond is a monetary release that is posted by any person on behalf of a Defendant. If a Defendant doesn’t have a contact that can post that particular amount of money, he or she can use an intermediary like a bail bondsman. The bail bondsman usually charges 10% of the total bond as a fee. If the Defendant doesn’t show up in court then the bond is revoked and the bond money is forfeited.
Personal Recognizance
Personal recognizance allows a defendant to be released from jail, without paying bail, by promising to show up in court at the next scheduled appearance. To be awarded this usually means that the Defendant committed a less serious crime and/or is not a flight risk.
What are other types of LEO Police Terms?
The aforementioned phrases are solely those that may come up when you are involved in an accident or if you have the misfortune of being placed under arrest. During this time, those phrases may not be the only things that you overhear.
Acronyms, Abbreviations and Descriptive Terms
Some acronyms or abbreviations used as LEO police terms are easily recognizable. For example, ETA is used by law enforcement the same way it would be by the public, as an acronym for Estimated Time of Arrival. However, other acronyms or abbreviations are used as a specific LEO police term to describe a suspect’s appearance or race, or the event that is occurring of which they are responding.
Codes or Code Violations
There are a slew of numeric and alpha-numerical codes that can be used by a LEO. Ten-codes refer to the numerical communication overheard when a police officer is speaking via CB radio and provide information regarding the situation to supporting authorities. Aside from formalized ten-codes, there are emergency response codes that actually include the word “Code” followed by the associated situation’s number (ex. Code 1). Similarly, there are codes which are combinations of numbers and letters that refer to the type of violation of which has occurred.
These codes, abbreviations and the like can vary by jurisdiction and state-by-state, so it is crucial to ensure that you have experienced representation for the state in which you are requiring legal assistance.
We’re Here To Help
Being involved in an accident or being arrested can be a disorienting experience, especially if you do not understand all of the jargon being used by public officials. If you encounter any questions on this topic or any other related issues, or you would like to set up a free consultation, please don’t hesitate to call the attorneys at Avera & Smith.