Glossary
Booking
The process where an individual is taken into custody and “booked” or “processed.” During the booking process, an officer typically takes the individual’s personal information, photo, fingerprints, records information about the alleged crime, performs a criminal background check, and places the suspect in formal detention (e.g., a holding cell)
Arrest
The taking of a person into legal custody by a peace officer either under a valid warrant or on probable cause that the person has committed a crime. Cal. Penal Code § 834.
Citation
A written order, issued by the police, to appear before a magistrate judge or probation officer at a later date in response to a low-level criminal violation.
Source, Cal. Penal Code § 853.5
Diversion
California pretrial diversion programs allow eligible defendants to avoid jail time by completing treatment and education courses. There are generally three types of pretrial diversion programs: for low-level misdemeanors- including drug diversion, mental health diversion, and military or veterans diversion.
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year. A misdemeanor is every other crime or public offense that is not classified as a felony or an infraction. Cal. Penal Code § 17(a). In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, which reduced some felony offenses to misdemeanors. Caution should be used when comparing 2014 felony and misdemeanor arrest data to prior years’ data.
Felony
A crime regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a state prison(or by imprisonment in a county jail for specific offenses) for more than a year. In some states, the maximum penalty is punishable by death. Cal. Penal Code § 17(a). In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, which reduced some felony offenses to misdemeanors. Caution should be used when comparing 2014 felony and misdemeanor arrest data to prior years’ data.
Assembly District
One of a fixed number of districts into which a state is divided, each district electing one member to the lower house of the state legislature. There are currently 80 Assembly Districts in the state of California.
City Council District
One of a fixed number of districts into which a city is divided, each district electing one member to the council as representatives for that district. There are currently 15 City Council Districts in Los Angeles.
County Board District
One of a fixed number of districts into which a county is divided, each district electing one member to the board as representatives for that district. There are five Board of Supervisor Districts in Los Angeles.
Public Records Act Request (PRA)
The California Public Records Act (PRA) was enacted in 1968, codified in Gov’t Code § 6250-6268, and modeled from the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to allow for more accountability and transparency in government. The PRA allows members of the public to request information from government agencies concerning public matters and governmental operations. Under the PRA, members of the public can request to inspect records or obtain copies of records under the agency’s control, and by law, the agency must respond to PRA requests.
For more info on our process see our PRA Portal.
Bail
The amount of money defendants must post to be released from custody until their trial
Non Refundable Bail Bond
A nonrefundable obligation to pay the court if a criminal defendant fails to meet the terms of conditional release from custody. Many bail bonds are signed by the defendant and the defendant’s sureties(e.g., a bondsman). Some bail bonds are signed by the defendant only, who may need to deposit money with the court as security for the bond.
Charge
An accusation of crime, formulated in a written complaint, information, or indictment, and taking shape in a prosecution.
Jail
Jails are usually local facilities under the jurisdiction of a city, local district, or county. Jails are short-term holding facilities for the newly arrested and those awaiting trial or sentencing. Those sentenced to serve a small amount of time (less than a year) may be housed in the local jail for the duration of their sentence.
Prison
Prisons are institutional facilities under the jurisdiction of the state or federal government where convicted offenders serve longer sentences. People who have been found guilty of breaking a state law are usually sent to a state prison. Those who have violated federal laws are typically sent to federal prison located somewhere in the U.S.
Bond
Usually a formal written agreement by which a person undertakes to perform a certain act (as appear in court or fulfill the obligations of a contract) or abstain from performing an act (as committing a crime) with the condition that failure to perform or abstain will obligate the person or often a surety to pay a sum of money or will result in the forfeiture of money put up by the person or surety.