Terms and Definitions
Understanding common legal terms can help make interactions with law enforcement feel clearer and less confusing. This page provides plain-language definitions of terms you may hear during or after an interaction.
Know Your Rights: Terms & Definitions
An arrest is when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement because they are suspected of committing a crime. During an arrest, a person is not free to leave.
An attorney (or lawyer) is a person trained in the law who can provide legal advice and represent someone in legal matters.
Authority refers to the legal power an officer may have to take certain actions without permission in some situations.
A citation (or ticket) is a notice issued by law enforcement that requires a person to respond, often related to a violation such as a traffic offense.
Consent means giving permission for something to happen, such as a search. If you are asked for your consent, you should always have a choice to agree or decline. BUT you may not be asked in some situations, as not every situation requires it.
Compliance means following instructions or allowing something to happen, even if you do not agree. Compliance and consent can overlap but are not the same.
De-escalation refers to actions taken to reduce tension and avoid conflict during an interaction. This can include communication strategies, creating space, and efforts to keep situations calm. De-escalation strategies are often used by trained professionals. Community members may choose to focus on their own safety and awareness during an interaction.
Being detained means you are temporarily not free to leave while an officer investigates a situation. This is different from an arrest.
A frisk is a limited search of a person’s outer clothing, usually to check for weapons. It is sometimes called a “pat-down.”
Identification refers to documents or information used to confirm a person’s identity, such as a driver’s license.
Miranda rights are a set of rights that may be read to a person when they are taken into custody and questioned, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
When an officer directs you to do something. Orders are generally not presented as optional.
Plain view refers to items that are clearly visible to an officer without a search. In some situations, these items may be used as a basis for further action.
Probable cause means there is a reasonable basis for an officer to believe that a crime has occurred or that evidence of a crime is present.
Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause. It means an officer has specific reasons to believe a person may be involved in criminal activity.
When an officer asks for permission. A request may allow for a choice.
A search is when an officer looks for evidence or items on a person, in belongings, or in a vehicle. A search may also take place elsewhere, such as a private business or other pieces of property.
A Terry stop is a brief stop by law enforcement based on reasonable suspicion. It may include a limited frisk (pat-down) for safety.
Use of force refers to actions taken by law enforcement to control a situation. The level of force used may vary depending on the circumstances.
A warrant is a document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to take a specific action, such as conducting a search or making an arrest.
A witness is someone who sees or hears an event and may be asked to provide information about what happened.