Common Legal Terms Used in Background Checks
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Glossary of Commonly Used Terms

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y

A

A to K: Assault to Kill

Aa by pub serv: Aggravated assault by public servant

AA PO: Aggravated Assault on Police Officer

Aa/dw: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon

Aa/sbi: Aggravated assault causes severe bodily injury

Aa/witness: Aggravated assault against witness

Aa/pub serv: Aggravated assault against public servant

Aa/po: Aggravated assault against peace officer

AAWW: Aggravated Assault with Weapon

A&B: Assault and Battery

A & Rob: Assault and Robbery

ABC ACT: Alcohol Beverage Control Act

Abd: Abduction

Abndn MV: Abandoning Motor Vehicle

Abus Lang: Abusive Language

ABWIK: Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill

Acc: Accessory

Acc Aft Fact Rec: Accessory after the Fact, Receiving

Accomp DD: Accompanying Drunken Driver

Accpl: Accomplice

Acc to L: Accessory to Larceny

ACDA: Failure to Maintain a Clear Distance Ahead

Acquittal: The legal and formal certification of the innocence of a person who

has been charged with crime; a deliverance or setting free a person from a

charge of guilt; finding of not guilty.

Acquitted – Non-Conviction: The charges against the defendant were dropped.

Act 292: Buying, Possessing or Partaking Alcoholic Beverages while a Minor under 21 years of age

Act phys asst w/o lic: Act as physician assistant without license

Active Warrant: An order (WRIT) by a judge that directs law enforcement officer(s) to go and arrest the defendant currently at large.

ADA: Assistant District Attorney

Adjudicated Guilty – Conviction: The defendant has been found guilty of the charges.

Adjudicated Guilty / Delinquent in Juvenile Court: When this charge appears it simply means that the person was Adjudicated Guilty in a regular court or found guilty in juvenile court. It most likely has nothing to do with juvenile court; that is just the way the statute reads.

Adjudication: The ability to automate a judgment based on background screening outcome. This judgment often results in “meets requirements” or “does not meet requirements” outcome. Once adjudication takes place automatic distribution and/or adverse action can occur. Also, the legal process by which a case or claim is decided. May also be the final pronouncement of judgement in a case or claim, e.g. no guilty, conviction/guilty.

Adjudication Withheld – Non-conviction: The court does not give a final judgment regarding the case. The defendant is given probation, a program or community service in which they have a specified amount of time to complete. If the defendant complies, the case may be dismissed, depending on the county/state. If they do not dismiss in that particular county / state, then the disposition remains adjudication withheld and the case is closed. However, if the defendant is found in violation, the case disposition may be changed and the defendant can be found guilty.

Adulterated specimen: A specimen that contains a substance that is not expected to be present in human urine, or contains a substance expected to be present but is at a concentration so high that it is not consistent with human urine.

ADW WITK: Assault with Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill

AEA: Atomic Energy Act

AFA: Alien Firearms Act

Affr WDW: Affray with Deadly Weapon

AFO: Assaulting Federal Officer

Agg A: Aggravated Assault

Agg aslt dw: Aggravated assault with deadly weapon

Agg aslt sbi: Aggravated assault causes severe bodily injury

Agg kidnap: Aggravated kidnapping

Agg prom prost: Aggravated promotion of prostitution

Agg rob dw: Aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon

Agg sex a-v ch drugs: Aggravated sexual assault child by administering or provides flunitrazepam, otherwise known as rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyrate, or ketamine to the victim of the offense with the intent of facilitating the commission of the offense.

Agg sex a-v ch dw: Aggravated sexual assault child with deadly weapon

Agg sex a-v ch fear: Aggravated sexual assault child and by acts or words places the victim in fear that death, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping will be imminently inflicted on any person.

Agg sex a-v ch sbi: Aggravated sexual assault child that causes serious bodily injury or attempts to cause the death of the victim or another person in the course of the same criminal episode.

Agg sex a-v ch/14: Aggravated sexual assault child under 14 years of age

Agg sex a-v concert: Aggravated sexual assault in concert with another person

Agg sex a-v concert ch: Aggravated sexual assault Child in concert with another person

Agg sex a-v drugs: Aggravated sexual assault by administering or provides flunitrazepam, otherwise known as rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyrate, or ketamine to the victim of the offense with the intent of facilitating the commission of the offense.

Agg sex a-v dw: Aggravated sexual assault with deadly weapon

Agg theft r&c 20k: Theft greater than $20k, less than $100k

Agg theft 100k r&c: Theft greater than $100k, less than $200k

Agg theft 200k r&c: Theft greater than $200k

Agg theft 50: Theft greater than $50, less than $500

Agg theft 50 pub serv: Theft greater than $0, less than $500 public servant

Aggregate: Accumulated Amount

AIDA: Automobile Information Disclosure Act

AIM: Assault with Intent to Murder

Alternative Sentence: Sentence with either jail or probation-neither being a conviction (non-conviction).

AP: Aircraft Piracy

APIPOCC: Appropriating Property in Possession of Common Carrier

APO: Assaulting Police Officer

Applicant Tracking System (ATS): Any system, whether in paper or software form, that manages both an organization’s job posting and data collection (i.e., resume/applications) process to efficiently match prospective candidates to the proper positions.

AR: Anti-Racketeering

ARD Program – Non-conviction: Mostly found in the state of Pennsylvania, this stands for “Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program.” This program is given to the defendant in place of adjudication. If the defendant completes the program, the case is closed.

ARL: Anti-Riot Laws

ARL-SFCAA: Anti-Riot Laws - State Firearms Control Assistance Act

Armed WDW: Armed with a Dangerous Weapon

Arraignment: Procedure whereby the accused is brought before the court to

plead to the criminal charge against him in the indictment of information.

Assault B-I: Assault to cause bodily injury

ATL: Anti-Trust Law

Att Burg: Attempted Burglary

Att burg building:Attempted Burglary of a building

Att burg com: Attempted Burglary of coin operated machine

Att burg hab: Attempted Burglary of habitation

Att burg veh: Attempted Burglary of vehicle

Att L Attempted Larceny

Att tres hab: Attempted Criminal trespass of a habitation

Att mfg cs 400g: Attempted Possession with intent man/del controlled substance

Auto T: Auto Theft

AVIN: Altered Vehicle Identification Number

AW: Article of War

AWOL: Absent Without Leave

B

B: Breaking

B&E DW DT: Breaking and Entering Dwelling, Daytime

B&P: Business & Professional Code: Drinking, Disorderly Conduct, Vagrancy, Dope, etc.

B&T: Burglary and Theft

B Dw NT: Breaking into Dwelling, Night Time

B of P: Breach of Peace

B Store NT: Breaking into Store, Night Time

Bail / Bon Forfeiture – Non-conviction: The charges against the defendant are dropped. Not enough evidence to convict.

BB: Bank Burglary

BC: Bad Check

BECOM: Breaking and Entering Coin Operated Machine

BE&L: Breaking, Entering and Larceny

Bench Warrant: An order (WRIT) by the judge for the defendant to appear for the judge - (used in lesser matters). A process by ordered by the court, while the court is hearing a case, directing a law information agency to bring a specified individual before the court. The warrants are open until withdrawal by the court or the person who is the subject of the warrant appears in court.

BF: Bail Forfeited

BF&E Bank Fraud and Embezzlement

BIND: Breaking into Non-Dwelling

Bind Over: To order the defendant to appear in court. The term is also used when a case is shifted from a lower court to higher court.

Blind specimen or blind performance test specimen: A specimen submitted to a laboratory for quality control testing purposes, with a fictitious identifier, so that the laboratory cannot distinguish it from an employee specimen.

Bond / Bail: A certificate of obligation, either unsecured or secured with collateral, to secure compliance with bail obligations of the defendant to the court. Normally an obligation to appear as ordered before the court.

Bond Forfeiture: Bond forfeiture occurs when the defendant has failed to appear at court as ordered or has violated some other requirement.

BNID: Burglary Not in a Dwelling

BR: Bank Robbery

Brby: Bribery

BRCSP: Buying, Receiving, Concealing Stolen Property

BS: Suspicion of Breaking

BSL: Blue Sky Laws

BT: Bomb Threats

Burg veh: Burglary of a vehicle

Burg building: Burglary of a building

Burg com: Burglary of coin operated machine

Burg hab: Burglary of habitation

Burg veh: Burglary of a vehicle

Burgl: Burglary

Burgl Habitation: Breaking into someone’s home.

BW: Bench Warrant

Bwi: Boating while intoxicated

C

C/f us gove doc: Counterfeiting / forging of government document

C&I: Careless & Inattentive or Carless & Imprudent (driving)

C to D of M: Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

CAA: Crime Aboard Aircraft

CAG: Custody of Attorney General

CAID: Criminal Activity in Drugs

Cancelled test: A drug or alcohol test that has a problem identified that cannot be or has not been corrected, or which otherwise requires to be cancelled. A cancelled test is neither a positive nor a negative test.

CAPIAS: This word, which means “that you take,” is applicable to many heads of practice. Several writs and processes commanding the sheriff to take the person of the defendant are known by the name of capias. For example: there are writs of capias ad respondendum, writs of capias ad computandum, writs of capias ad satisfaciendum, etc., each especially adapated to the purposes indicated by the words used for designation. It requires that a law enforcement official take a named defendant into custody.

Capias A: Writ directing an officer to arrest the person named

Case Pending: Case is waiting to be decided or settled.

Cc abuse: Credit card abuse

CCDW: Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon

CCF: Carrying Concealed Firearm

CD: Careless Driving to Common Drunk

CDC: Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child

CDTP: Criminal Damange to Property

CDW: Carrying a Dangerous Weapon

Cf/tm 100k: Counterfeiting trademark

CGR: Crime on Government Reservation

Chain of Custody: The procedure used to document the handling of the urine specimen from the time the employee gives the specimen to the collector until the specimen is destroyed. This procedure uses the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF).

Charges: In criminal law, a charge is an allegation that an individual has committed a specific offense.

Child Deser: Child Desertion

Child Neg: Child Neglect

CHS: Crime on High Seas

CIR: Crime on Indian Reservation

Citation: An order issued by a law enforcement officer requiring appearance in court to answer a charge. Normally relates to low level infractions.

CKFM: Carnal Knowledge of Female Minor

Co Ct Mitt: County Court Mittimus (see Mittimus)

COC: Contempt of Court

COD: Court’s Order of Dismissal

COI: Conflict of Interest

Collection site: A place selected by the employer where employees present themselves for the purpose of providing a urine specimen for a drug test.

Common Law Uttering – NC Common Law: Class H Felony. Utters as true a false writing that is apparently capable of effecting a fraud with the intent to defraud knowing that the writing is false.

Comn Aslt: Common Assault

Conc Evid: Concealing Evidence

Concurrent Sentances: Sentence taking place or existing at the same time as another; or two or more terms of imprisonment served simultaneously.

Conditional Discharge: A conviction. Court issues the discharge from the jail and requires defendant to comply with some conditions. Regardless of whether defendant complies with rules or not, he/she is still convicted (GUILTY).

Conditional Discharge – Non-conviction: The defendant has no finding of guilt. The court is discharging him/her from trial on special conditions that they must follow. If they do not abide by these conditions, the discharge may be revoked and the finding may become guilty.

Conditional Release: The release from a correctional facility before full sentence has been served with is conditioned on specific behavior. If conditions are not met, the individual may be returned to the facility.

Conditional Sentence: Sentence to confinement if the defendant fails to perform conditions of probation.

Confirmation (or confirmatory) drug test: A second analytical procedure performed on a urine specimen to identify and quantify the presence of a specific drug or drug metabolite.

Confirmation (or confirmatory) validity test: A second test performed on a urine specimen to further support a validity test result.

Confirmed drug test: A confirmation test result received by an MRO from a laboratory.

Consecutive Sentences: Multiple sentences, served one after the other.

Consent Decree – Conviction: This is found in New Mexico. It is designed as a disposition for juvenile cases in which the defendant pleads guilty and is placed on probation for six months.

Consp: Conspiracy

Consortium/ Third-party administrator (C/TPA): A service agent that provides or coordinates the provision of a variety of drug and alcohol testing services to employers. C/TPAs typically perform administrative tasks concerning the operation of the employers' drug and alcohol testing programs. This term includes, but is not limited to, groups of employers who join together to administer, as a single entity, the DOT drug and alcohol testing programs of its members.

Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA): A bureau that gathers and provides information about individuals - such as if they pay their bills on time or have filed bankruptcy - to creditors, employers, and landlords. Companies that perform pre-employment screening services are also considered CRAs and are governed by the FCRA, as are the employers that use background screening services.

Cont. for Sentence to Continued for Sentence: Refers to a suspended action that can be initiated by the court at a later date should Subject be brought to court on a subsequent charge

Conviction: The result of a criminal trial, which ends in a judgment or sentence that the accused is guilty as charged.

Cost-per-hire: A common measure used in human resources to evaluate the average costs incurred in recruiting and hiring new employees. Generally the equation is total recruitment costs divided by total number of new hires. Typical components of this measure include relocation costs, advertising/job board fees, interviewing expenses, referral bonuses, recruitment staff compensation, skills assessment and pre-employment screening.

CPCS: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance

CPDD: Criminal Possession of a Dangerous Drug

CPSP: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property

CR: Civil Rights

Cr to Ani: Cruelty to Animals

Crim Neg: Criminal Negligence

Criminal Misc: Vandalism

Criminal plea: The defendant’s response to a criminal charge (guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere).

Crnl Knldg: Carnal Knowledge

CRSP: Criminally Receiving Stolen Property

CRV: Conditional Release Violator

CSA: Controlled Substance Act

CSCS: Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance

Ctfg or Ctft: Counterfeiting or Counterfeit

CU&PFC: Criminally Uttering and Publishing False Check

Cumulative Sentence: A sentence that takes effect after a prior sentence is completed for crimes tried within the same case. See Consecutive Sentences.

CVA: California Vehicle Act

CW: Concealed Weapons

CWIK: Cutting with Intent to Kill

D

D & D: Drunk and Disorderly

D&S: Dangerous and Suspicious

DAA w/o OP: Driving away Auto without Owner’s Permission

DAMV: Destruction of Aircraft or Motor Vehicles

Dangerous Drugs: Possession / Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

DC: Disorderly Conduct

Dc abuse: Debit card abuse

DCI: Driving Car Intoxicated

DCI-D: Driving Car Intoxicated – Drugs

DCI-L: Driving Car Intoxicated – Liquor

DCMV: Drunk in Control of Motor Vehicle

De Novo: Latin for “anew” or “afresh.” Usually used as Trial De Novo. New trial or one that is held for a second time, as if there had been no previous trial or decision.

Dead Docket: Charges dropped / no further action taken; usually attached to other charges that the offender plea-bargained on. The case never went to trial. The case may be reopened if new evidence is submitted, depending on local practice.

Dead Docket – Non-conviction: Often seen in Fulton, Georgia, there is not enough evidence that shows the defendant is guilty or that he is innocent. The case is set aside. If not brought back up, case is closed.

Deferred Adjudication of Guilt: The final judgment is delayed for a period of time. Can be likened to probation before a final verdict. If “probation” is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped and the case dismissed. During the “probationary period” the disposition is not necessarily considered a conviction. It is an open case. Similar to Adjudication Withheld or deferred judgements.

Deferred Discharge: Dismissed and considered a non-conviction.

Deferred Judgment: A deferred judgment refers to a postponed or delayed judgment. In a deferred judgment, the court gives a defendant an opportunity to complete a probationary period before sentencing and prior to any entry of conviction.

Deferred Probation: The judge doesn’t make a finding of guilt; defendant is assigned probation. If probation is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped.

Deferred Sentence: Postponement of the pronouncement of the sentence.

Deadly Conduct: Wielding a dangerous weapon, i.e. a knife, gun, etc., or threatening to cause harm onto someone.

Declined: DA declined to prosecute. Not enough evidence to take to the grand jury.

Deering Act CCW: Carrying Concealed Weapon

Def Bldg: Defacing Building

Defendant: The party against whom relief or recovery is sought or the accused in a criminal case.

Deferred Adjudication/Judgment – Non-conviction: The defendant has no finding of guilt. The judgment is set-aside for a deferred amount of time and the defendant must comply with any conditions given to him / her. The case can be dismissed depending on the county / state if the defendant completes all requirements.

Del cs: Delivery of a controlled substance

Del mj: Delivery of marijuana

Delayed Sentence: See Deferred Probation.

Dep Proc: Deportation Proceedings

Deser: Desertion or Deserter

DGP: Destruction of Government Property

DH: Disorderly House

Dilute specimen: A specimen with creatinine and specific gravity values that are lower than expected for human urine.

DIP: Drunk in Public

Directed Verdict: A determination by a jury, made at the direction of the judge. A directed verdict happens in cases where there has been a lack of evidence, an overwhelming amount of evidence, or where the law is in favor of one of the parties to the extent that reasonable jurors could not decide otherwise.

DIS TRCON DEV: Disregard of a Traffic Control Device.

Dismissal: An order of judgment finally disposing of an action, suit, motion, etc., without trial of the issues involved.

Dismissal Without Leave After Deferred Prosecution: Charges dismissed after specified time, e.g. 90 days to one year, provided certain conditions have been met such as participating in specified program of anger control or drug counseling or providing community service, etc.

Dispense cs: Unlawful dispensing dangerous drug.

Disposed/Disposition: The final settlement in the matter. Examples of disposed cases are those with a finding of guilt (conviction), innocence or acquittal.

Dist Peace: Disturbing the Peace

Diversion Program: To set aside. A court direction which calls a defendant, who has been found guilty, to attend a work or education program as part of probation. May include some type of anger management, drug rehab, etc. If the condition of program is met, charge may be considered a non-conviction.

DOA: Driving Off Automobile

DOF: Desecration of the Flag

DP: Disorderly Person

Dram Act: Possession of Open Liquor Container in Vehicle

Dropped – Non-Conviction: Not enough evidence to convict the defendant.

DTP: Disturbing the Peace

DUA: Detained under Arrest

DUC: Driving Under Cancellation

DUI: Driving while under the influence

DW: Dangerous Weapon

DWA: Deadly Weapon Act

DWD-D: Driving while Drunk – Drugs

DWI: Driving while intoxicated

DWLS: Driving while license suspended

DWP: Dropped for Want of Prosecution

Dyer Act ITSMV: Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle

E

EAR: Escape and Rescue

ECT: Extortionate Credit Transactions

EFP: Escaped Federal Prisoner

EGP: Embezzlement of Government Property

EID: Election Laws

Entic Fem U Age: Enticing Females Under Age

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): A system of employment practices regulated by the EEOC under which individuals are not excluded from any participation, advancement, or benefits due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other action that cannot lawfully be the basis for employment actions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The federal agency responsible for administration of several statutes that prohibit discrimination; has power to subpoena witnesses, issue guidelines that have the force of law, render decisions, provide technical assistance to employers, and provide legal assistance to complainants.

Ev: Evasion or Evading

Evsdrp: Eavesdropping

Expos Per: Exposing his Person

Expunge/Expunged: When a record of offense is expunged it will not appear on a released criminal history. The record may be destroyed or sealed after a certain period of time. Records may be expunged in juvenile cases, or upon satisfactory completion of a court-ordered probation and/or class(es). Law enforcement agencies may still have access to these records.

Ext: Extortion

Extended Workforce: The portion of a company's workforce made up of temporary employees, vendor employees and independent contractors.

F

F to P: Failure to Provide

FAD ADW: Flourishing a Dangerous and Deadly Weapon

FAG: Fraud Against the Government

Failure To Appear: Defendant did not show up at his/her scheduled court date/time.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): The FCRA is designed to protect individuals, by promoting accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of every Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). Companies that perform pre-employment screening services are governed by the FCRA, as are the employers that use background screening services.

Fel H&R: Felony Hit and Run

Fel Warr: Felony Warrant

Felony: A crime of a graver or more serious nature than those designated as misdemeanors. A serious offense carrying a penalty of incarceration from one year to life in a state prison, to the death penalty.

FERIC: False Entries in Records of Interstate Carriers

FFA: Federal Firearms Act

FFJ: Fugitive from Justice

FHIF: Frequenting House of Ill Fame

FHVC: Failure to Have a Vehicle Under Control

FIX: Striking a highway fixture or landscape of greater than $200.00

FJDA: Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act

FL DW: Flourishing Deadly Weapon

Flid: Failure to ID

FLID UV: Failure to Identify Fugitive – unable to verify.

Fls Pol Ala: False Police Alarm

FMFR: Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

FOA: Fugitive Other Authorities

Forc Ent: Forcible Entry

Forg Dr Presc: Forging Doctor’s Prescription

Form I-9: Federal form required of all appointees to verify their U.S. citizenship, or if they are aliens, their eligibility for employment in accordance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1986.

Found Guilty: Defendant found guilty by judge/jury to be at fault and responsible for a crime committed (conviction).

Found Not Guilty: Defendant found by judge/jury not to be at fault or responsible for a crime committed (non-conviction).

FP: False Pretenses

FR: False Report

Fraud Remains Writing: Intent to destroy or fraud an application of some type.

Frd: Fraud or Fraudulent

Freetext: Handwritten information next to the record that did not transfer over to the database. This does not affect the actual record.

Freq GJ: Frequenting Gambling Joint

FRLA: Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act

FSRA: Failure to Stop and Render Aid

FTA: Failure to Appear.

FUDE: Fugitive Deserter

Fugitive File – The case has not been to trial: Found in Virginia. The same as Returned Un-served below.

FUUSTC: Forging and Uttering U.S. Treasury Check

FWI: Flying while intoxicated

FYCA: Federal Youth Corrections Act

FYRA: Failure to Yield Right of Way

G

GABM: Giving Alcoholic Beverages to Minor

GLA: Grand Larceny Auto

GP: General Principles

Grand Jury: A body of persons with the authority to investigate and accuse, but not to try cases. The grand jury will listen to and review evidence to see if there are sufficient grounds to bring charges against an individual.

Gross: Flagrant, out of measure.

Gross Misdemeanor: Serious misdemeanor.

GTA: Grand Theft Auto

Guilt/Guilty: Defendant at fault and responsible for a crime committed (conviction). Final disposition.

Guilty in Absentia – Conviction: The jury has found the defendant guilty without them having appeared in court.

H

H & R: Hit and Run

HA: Hatch Act

Hab Drk: Habitual Drunkard

Harb Crim: Harboring Criminals

HB: House Breaking

HNA: Harrison Narcotic Act

HR-XML: An operating language established by voluntary members of the human resources community who agree to use common definitions to facilitate automated exchange of all HR-related data between organizations.

Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) or Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS): Software-based systems that manage all or a part of the human resources function of an organization. Typical functionality includes employment demographics, benefits/compensation management, training, payroll and reporting.

I

Ibc: Issuance of a bad check

IGA: Interstate Gambling Activites

IGB: Illegal Gambling Business

Ignored – Non-conviction: The case never went to trial. It was ignored by the state.

Ind exp: Indecent exposure

Indec w / child: Indecency with a Child

Indictment: A formal written accusation originating with a prosecutor and issued by a grand jury against a party charged with a crime. An indictment is referred to as a “true bill”, whereas failure to indict is called a “no bill”.

Information: A formal written accusation made by the prosecuting attorney when a grand jury indictment is not necessary.

Infraction: Low level offenses, usually incurring a “ticket” and where resolution occurs in a lower court by paying a fine. Unless an infraction case is escalated to a misdemeanor, they are not reportable for employment purposes.

Inj invalid: Injury to disabled body.

Injunction: A court order which prohibits a person from doing a specified act for a specified period of time.

Insuf Fds: Insufficient Funds

Int oral comm: Interception wire/oral/electronic communication

Int Steal: Intent to Steal

Interfer po: Interference with duties of a public servant.

Involuntary Dismissal/ “Failure to Prosecute”: Dismissed due to a lack of prosecution or lack of evidence.

IOC: Interception of Communications

IPAB: Illegal Possession of Alcoholic Beverages

IPGP: Illegal Possession of Government Property

IPL: Illegal Possession of Liquor

IRLL: Internal Revenue Liquor Law

ISS: Involuntary Servitude and Slavery

IT: Interstate Theft

ITAR: Interstate Transportation in Aid of Racketeering

ITOM: Interstate Transportation of Obscene Matter

ITSMV: Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle

ITSP: Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property

ITWI: Interstate Transportation of Wagering Information

IWC: Issuing Worthless Check(s)

IWFC: Interference with Flight Crew

IWU: Illegal Wearing of Uniform

J

JC Mitt: Juvenile Court Mittimus (warrant to put juvenile already convicted of crime in prison)

JD: Juvenile Delinquency

JL B: Jail Breaking

Judgement: The final decision/disposition of the court regarding a claim or case.

JW: Judgment Withheld

K

Keep gamb place: Keeping a gambling place

KFO: Killing Federal Officer

KHIF: Keeping House of Ill Fame

Kid: Kidnapping

KPO: Killing Police Officer

KRA: Kickback Racket Act

L

L: Larceny

L & L: Lewd and Lascivious

L & R: Larceny and Receiving

Larceny: Theft

LIPIS: Liquor in Possession with Intent to Sell

LL: Liquor Law

LOE: Lack of Evidence

LOP: Lack of Prosecution

LSA: Leaving Scene of Accident

Lv acc w/o RN Leaving Accident without Reporting Name

M

Main DH: Maintaining Disorderly House

Mal A: Malicious Assault

Management reports: Reports designed to reflect pre-screening report activity. An example is a report that displays turnaround time for reports and types of reports ordered. This is different from the pre-employment screening report, which displays information specific to the individual candidate.

Mann Act: Interstate Transportation of Minor Female for Immoral Purpose

Mans: Manslaughter

Mansl: Manslaughter

Mat Wit: Material Witness

MBA: Migratory Bird Act

MDL: Mutilating Driver’s License

Medical Review Officer (MRO): A person who is a licensed physician and who is responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results generated by an employer's drug testing program and evaluating medical explanations for certain drug test results.

MF: Mail Fraud

Mfr dang drug: Manufacturing dangerous drug

MIC: Minor in Consumption

MIP: Minor in Possession – Minimum Fine

Misd: Misdemeanor

Misdemeanor: Offenses lower than felonies and generally those punishable by fine, penalty, forfeiture or imprisonment otherwise than in penitentiary.

Misdemeanor Intervention Program – Non-conviction: A program designated only for misdemeanor offenses in which the defendant may comply to the conditions of the program in order to avoid conviction.

Mittimus: A warrant or writ for putting into prison a person convicted of a crime

Mkg fls affi: Making False Affadavit

Mol: Molesting

Mooning: Indecent Exposure

MRV: Mandatory Release Violator

MTN SUPRS GTD: Motion to Supress Granted.

MUR: Murder

MVI: Moving Vehicle Incident

N

NARA: Narcotics Addict Rehabilitation Act

NCTA: National Cattle Theft Act

NDL: No Driver’s License

ne exeret republica Restraining Order: Not permitted to leave the state

Neg: Neglect

Neg hom: Negligent homicide

Negotiated Plea: An agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor.

NFA: National Firearms Act

NMVTA: National Motor Vehicle Theft Act

No Accusation: No indictment by grand jury or no claims of wrong doing by another person (non-conviction).

No Action – Non-Conviction: The court dropped the case and did not continue with the charges.

No Bill or No True Bill: The decision by a grand jury that will not bring an indictment against the accused on the basis of the allegations and evidence presented by the prosecutor.

No Billed – Non-Conviction: The District Attorney never sent the case to court and it was not tried.

No Billed - Not Indicted: Usually seen for Felony charges. Not enough evidence that the accused committed the crime (non-conviction).

No Contest: A plea in which the defendant does not contest the charge. This has the same of effect as a guilty plea except the conviction cannot be used against the defendant in a civil suit.

No Information Filed – Non-Conviction: Mostly found in Florida. It means the case has been dropped.

No Papered: Charges were not pursued. (This is a term used in Washington D.C.)

No Papered – Non-conviction: The paperwork was never sent to the court by the District Attorney and the case was never filed. Therefore, it was never brought to trial.

No Probable Cause: There was not sufficient evidence to bring a case to trial.

Nolle Prosse or Nolle Prosequi: Latin phrase used by the district attorney or plaintiff when they do not wish to prosecute or proceed with the action. This results in a dismissal.

Nolle Prosse – Non-conviction: Latin term meaning “Not Prosecuted.” This means there was not enough evidence to convict the defendant. The case is dropped.

Nolo Contrendre: Latin phrase used by a defendant to say “I do not wish to contest.” This plea in a criminal case has the legal effect of pleading guilty. See No Contest.

Nolo Contendre – Conviction: Latin term meaning “No Contest.” The defendant has pled no contest to the charges against him or her, therefore the court finds them guilty.

Non-Suit: Plaintiff does not proceed to trial-results in dismissal-lack of evidence (non-conviction).

Non-Adjudication of Guilt – Non-conviction: Same as adjudication withheld.

Not Guilty – Non-conviction: A jury or judge trial finding that the defendant is innocent.

NSF: Not Sufficient Funds

NSP: National Stolen Property

NTPW: Non-Tax Paid Whiskey

O

OAI: Operating Auto Intoxicated

OAPA: Operating Auto in Possession of Alcohol

OAWI: Operating Auto While Intoxicated

Obs Lit: Obscene Literature

OCI: Obstruction of Criminal Investigations

OCO: Obstruction of Court Orders

OGFP: Obtaining Goods by False Pretense

OHIR: Operating House of Ill Repute

OMFP: Obtaining Money by False Pretense

OMVWI: Operating Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated

OMVW/OOC: Operating Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent

OOJ: Obstruction of Justice

OPFP: Obtaining Property under False Pretense

ORID: Occupying Room with Immoral Design

Other – Non-conviction: Defendant is given special provisions for one year to abide by since this is a first offense. If no further violation of the same nature occurs, case is closed.

OVAR: Operating Vehicle after Revocation

OVUI-D: Operating Vehicle Under Influence of Drugs

OVWD: Operating Vehicle While Drunk

P

Pa. 675-1: Drinking Under Age

Pand or Pandering: Running House of Prostitution

Panh: Panhandling

Par Stands: Parole Stands

Parole: Release from jail, prison, or other confinement after actually serving, usually with terms and conditions provided to a parole officer.

Parole Violation: An act that does not conform to the terms of parole.

Part of sentence: Conditional release from imprisonment, which entitles parolee to serve remainder of term outside confines of an institution.

PBV: Probation Violator

PED: Peddling

Penalty: After conviction for a crime, money fine or forfeiture of property ordered by the judge.

Pending Case or Charge: The case has not been to trial at this time. There is no disposition to report. Charge for an offense that has not been disposed of by the court. This would include deferred judgment and adjudication withheld orders.

PD: Public Drunk

PI: Public Intoxication

PIC: Possessing Implement of Crime

PIE: Presence in Illegal Establishment

PL: Petty Larceny

Plaintiff: A person who brings an action. A person who seeks remedial relief for an injury of rights; it designates a complainant.

Plea: The defendant’s formal answer to a charge; e.g. not guilty, Nolo Contendre, guilty.

Plea Bargain: A plea of guilty to a lesser offense in return for a lighter sentence. See Negotiated Plea.

Plead Guilty: Defendant admitting to fault and responsibility for crime committed.

PNG: Plea Not Guilty

PNS: Possession of Number Slips

Poss ND: Unlawful Possession of Narcotic Drugs

Poss SG: Possession of Stolen Goods

PP: Pickpocket

Prayer for Judgment – Non-conviction: Often seen in North Carolina, it falls under deferred prosecution, meaning the state did not prosecute. For example, with worthless checks it gives the defendant a chance to pay the check before being charged.

Pre-employment screening: Pre-employment screening services can include background screening, drug screening, skills assessment and behavioral assessment. A thorough background screen verifies important factual information about a prospective employee (i.e. identity, employment history, education credentials). It also helps gain critical information about an applicant’s character and past history that isn’t always apparent in an interview or application, such as criminal history, credit history, and driving record.

Pre-Sentence Diagnostic/Investigation/Evaluation: When an offender has been convicted of a crime but not sentenced, a diagnostic report is prepared at the request of the court to help determine the appropriate sentence.

Pre-Trial Intervention/Diversion – Non-conviction: A program the defendant is placed in before going to trial. If the defendant complies prior to trial time, the trial will not be held for the charge and the defendant is not convicted.

Preliminary Hearing: Meeting before the judge to determine if a person charged with a felony should be tried for that crime, based on some substantial evidence that they committed the crime. Preliminary hearings are held in the lowest local court.

Primary specimen: In drug testing, the urine specimen bottle that is opened and tested by a first laboratory to determine whether the employee has a drug or drug metabolite in his or her system; and for the purpose of validity testing. The primary specimen is distinguished from the split specimen, defined in this section.

Prob: Probation

Probation: Relief of all or part of a confinement sentence on the promise of proper conduct.

Proc: Procuring

Process Other – Non-conviction: Defendant was not charged on this count due to being charged for another count.

Prohib Sub Jail: Possessing a prohibited substance in a correctional facility.

Prosecute: To proceed against a person criminally.

Prost: Prostitution

PT: Petty Theft

PWC / Theft: Passing worthless checks

PV: Parole Violator

Q

Quash/Quashed: Dismissed with the option to reinstate within a certain amount of time (non-conviction). Declined to prosecute but with the option to reopen the case.

R

R & S: Suspended Sentence and License Revoked

RA: Armed Robbery or Registration Act

RBA: Robbery by Assault

RD-BD: Reckless Driving – had been drinking

REAP: Reckless Endangering Another Person

Rec & Conc: Receiving and Concealing

Refused – Non-conviction: The case never went to trial. The state refused the hearing of the case.

Rejected – Non-conviction: The case never went to trial. The state rejected the hearing of the case.

Remand: To return an individual to custody pending further trial, or to return a case from an appellate to a lower court for further proceedings.

Replevin: Order to Take Possession

Resorting: Visiting a House of Prostitution

Responsible – Non-conviction: The defendant is responsible for the payment of the fines or fees of the crime. They are not found in guilt, however, must pay what they are ordered. Often found on traffic tickets or minor violation.

Restraining Order: An order prohibiting a specified action until such time that a hearing on an application for an injunction can be held.

Retaliation: Person commits this offense with the intension or knowingly harms or threatens to harm another; i.e. prospective witness or informant; to prevent or delay the service of another such as a public servant or perspective witness.

Retired (as Disposition): Court withdraws charges (non-conviction). This term has been associated with Summer County, Tennessee, but its use is common throughout Tennessee. Retired is the term used by the criminal court at the end of what is commonly referred to in the industry as a deferred sentence. If the defendant successfully completes probation the case is “retired”, i.e. dismissed. The state also has a “retired docket” which is similar to a disposition docket in other states, for inactive cases. Inactive cases may be dismissed if there is not a good reason for the inactivity of at least one year.

Returned Un-served: The case has not been to trial at this time. A warrant, summons or paper from the district attorney’s office was issued for delivery to the defendant to appear for trial; however, the defendant could not be located. Therefore, the case is technically pending; however, the paperwork was never served.

RICO: Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization

Robb F&V: Robbery, Force and Violence

ROW: Right of Way

RPFI: Released Pending Further Investigation

RSG: Receiving Stolen Goods

RSP: Receiving Stolen Property

S

SAR: Strong Arm Robbery

SB: Simple Battery

SB: Sports Bribery

Sealed Records: Court records or decision that a judge orders kept from public view. Generally, law enforcement agencies have access to sealed records.

SEC EXE DOCUMENT DEC: Securing Execution of Document by Deception

SEDD: Securing Execution of Document by Deception

SFCAA: State Firearms Control Assistance Act

SH: Shooting

Shock Probation: Placed into rehab for the crime committed. The rehab illustrates what kind of harm they have placed on the victim by having the criminal listen to stories and videos of actual victims.

Shplftg: Shoplifting

SKA: Switchblade Knife Act

Skip Bl: Skipping Bail

SLIP: Soliciting for Lewd and Immoral Purposes

SNL: State Narcotic Law

Smith Act: Sedition

Sol of Brby: Solicitation of Bribery

Split specimen: In drug testing, a part of the urine specimen that is sent to a first laboratory and retained unopened, and which is transported to a second laboratory in the event that the employee requests that it be tested following a verified positive test of the primary specimen or a verified adulterated or substituted test result.

SS: Sentence Suspended

SSA: Selective Service Act

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption: A protocol designed to provide secure encrypted communication over the Internet.

Stay (of Proceedings): A ruling by the court in civil and criminal procedure, halting further legal process in a trial. The court can subsequently lift the stay and resume proceedings. However, a stay is sometimes used as a device to postpone proceedings indefinitely.

Stet Docket – Non-conviction: Will not prosecute at this time. Eligible to be re-opened for one year if a violation is committed during that time. After the one-year period and no violations have been committed, it cannot be re-opened and the case is closed.

Stln Prop: Stolen Property

Stricken Off Leave – Non-conviction: Often seen in Illinois, the case has been stricken off docket with the ability to reinstate at a later date if deemed that the case can be prosecuted. This is often because the prosecutors run out of time to prosecute.

Substituted specimen: A specimen with creatinine and specific gravity values that are so diminished that they are not consistent with human urine.

Sullivan Law CCW: Carrying Concealed Weapon

Suspended sentence: In criminal law, a suspended sentence means in effect that the defendant is not required at the time sentence is imposed to serve the sentence.

SWWC: Swindle with Worthless Checks

T

T: Theft

TAWOP: Taking Auto without Owner’s Permission

TBC: Theft by Check

TFIS: Theft from Interstate Shipment

TGP: Theft of Government Property

Theft Check 20: Theft by check for less than $20.

Theft Enhanced: If before 1994 – Theft of property less than $750; Enhanced – Has been convicted at least 2 times before for the same crime; Considered a 3rd Degree Felony. If after 1994 – Theft of property less than $1500; Enhanced – Has been convicted at least 2 times before for the same crime; Considered State Jail Felony.

Theft serv 20k: Theft, greater than $20k, less than 100k

Theft serv 100k: Theft, greater than 100K less than 200K

Theft serv 200K: Theft greater than 200K

Theft serv 20: Theft greater than $20, less than $50

Thrt: Threat or Threatening

Time Served: Period a criminal defendant has been in jail, often while awaiting bail or awaiting trial. Often a judge will give a defendant credit for time served.

Time-to-hire: A common measure used in human resources to evaluate the average amount of time it takes to fill an open position. This is normally measured from the point the job request is submitted by the hiring manager to the point the new employee walks in the door.

Tried as an Adult: A juvenile charged with a serious felony and is older than an age set in the state’s statute, and the case, upon order of the court, is transferred from juvenile court to regular criminal court. These records are not sealed but are public records.

Tru: Truancy

U

U & P: Uttering and Publishing

UCMJ: Uniform Code of Military Justice

Ucw: Unlawfull carrying of weapon

UDAA: Unlawful Driving Away Auto

UFAC: Unlawful Flight to Avoid Custody

UFAT: Unlawful Flight to Avoid Testimony

UIBC: Unlawful Issuance of Bank Checks

UMTD: Using Mails to Defraud

UNA: Uniform Narcotics Act

Unl Ent: Unlawful Entry

UPF: Unlawful possession firearm by felon

UPIP: Utter Profanity in Public

UPRF: Unlawful Possession or Receipt of Firearms

UPUC: Unauthorized Publication or Use of Communications

USCC: U.S. Criminal Code

UUEV: Unlawful use of emergency vehicle

UWC: Uttering Worthless Check(s)

V

Vacate: To make void; to cancel.

VAD: Visiting A Dive

Vag: Vagrancy

Vaga: Vagabond

Vag WA: Vagrancy (wandering about)

VANO: Violation of Anti-Noise Ordinance

VCSDDCA: Violation Controlled Substance Drug Device and Cosmetic Act.

Verdict: The formal, final decision or finding made by a jury or judge.

Verified test: A drug test result or validity testing result from an HHS-certified laboratory that has undergone review and final determination by the MRO.

Vio DDCA: Violation Dangerous Drugs and Control Act

VIRL: Violation of Internal Revenue Laws

VNG: Verdict Not Guilty

Voluntary Dismissal: The court or district attorney dismisses the charges. See Nolle Pros or Nolle Prosequi.

Voyeurism: Peeping Tom

VRA: Voting Rights Act

VSNL: Violation of State Narcotic Laws

Vssa: Violation of state securities act

VT: Vehicle Theft

VTL: Vehicle Theft Larceny

VTO: Violation Traffic Ordinance

W

W & I: Willful and Incorrigible or (in California) Welfare & Institutional Code.

W/S: See With Specifications.

Waived – Conviction: Mainly found in the state of North Carolina. This means the defendant has waived his / her right to trial and has pled guilty to the charges. In turn, the court accepts the plea of guilty.

Waiver by Magistrate: Charges are waived after the defendant agrees to pay a fine. The defendant is not prosecuted on this charge.

Waiver of Jury: The right to a jury trial is waived and the judge makes the decision of guilt or innocence.

Warrant for arrest: A written order of the court which is made on behalf of the state or United States and is based upon a complaint issued pursuant to statute and/or court rule and which commands law enforcement to arrest a person and bring them before court.

WCA: Workmen’s Compensation Act

With Specifications: When W/S is listed after a charge, it is usually followed with a description of violence involved with the charge.

Withheld: Adjudication withheld, deferred adjudication, deferred judgment.

WOP: Without Prosecution

WPPDA: Welfare and Pension Plans Disclosure Act

WSTA: White Slave Traffic Act

WWRD: Wrong Way Road
X

XML: Short for Extensible Markup Language. XML is a language designed especially for Web documents. It enables the definition, transmission, validation, and interpretation of data between applications and between organizations.

Y

Youthful Offender: Classification of juveniles and young adults in the 18 to 25 year age group, these individuals are sometimes given special sentencing consideration for the purpose of rehabilitation, sometimes through education and counseling. Some states restrict the use of these youthful offender “convictions” by employers.

Youthful Training Act: Usually a non-conviction. Used for juvenile first-time offenders. It may be reported on a criminal record. If the juvenile complies with the sentence, case will be dropped from the record when the offender reaches adulthood.