Glossary

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Immunity - Grant by the court, which assures someone will not face prosecution in return for providing criminal evidence.

Impeachment - A criminal proceeding against a public official.

Impeachment of a witness - An attack on the credibility (believability) of a witness, through evidence introduced for that purpose.

Implied contract - A contract not created or evidenced by the explicit agreement of the parties but one inferred by law; as the use of electric power in your home implies a contract with the light company.

Inadmissible - That which, under the rules of evidence, cannot be admitted or received as evidence.

Incapacity - Lack of legal ability to act; disability, incompetence; lack of adequate power.

Incarceration - Imprisonment in a jail or penitentiary.

Incompetent - One who lacks ability, legal qualification, or fitness to manage his own affairs.

Independent executor - A special kind of executor, permitted by the laws of certain states, who performs the duties of an executor without intervention by the court.

Indeterminate sentence - A sentence of imprisonment to a specified minimum and maximum period of time, specifically authorized by statute, subject to termination by a parole board or other authorized agency after the prisoner has served the minimum term.

Indictment - A written accusation by a grand jury charging a person with a crime. (See information.)

Indigent - Needy or impoverished. A defendant who can demonstrate his or her indigence to the court may be assigned a court-appointed attorney at public expense.

Initial appearance - The defendant comes before a judge within hours of the arrest to determine whether or not there is probable cause for his or her arrest.

Information - Accusatory document, filed by the prosecutor, detailing the charges against the defendant. An alternative to an indictment, it serves to bring a defendant to trial.

Infraction - A violation of law not punishable by imprisonment. Minor traffic offenses generally are considered infractions.

Inheritance tax - A state tax on property that an heir or beneficiary under a will receives from a deceased person's estate. The heir or beneficiary pays this tax.

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