Theft is the taking of another person’s personal property with the intent of depriving that person of the use of their property. Also referred to as larceny.
Theft is often divided into grand theft and petty theft. If the...
criminal law
three strikes
Three strikes, or three-strikes law, is a criminal sentencing structure in which significantly harsher punishments are imposed on repeated offenders. Three-strikes laws generally mandate a life sentence for the third violation of violent...
time served
“Time served” is a term colloquially used by courts when imposing a sentence that is deemed to be completely satisfied by the defendant's previous time spent in custody while awaiting sentencing. When a judge sentences a defendant to “time...
trafficking
Trafficking is the transporting of or transacting in illegal goods or people. See drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and human trafficking.
[Last updated in December of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]
transferred intent
Transferred intent is used when a defendant intends to harm one victim, but then unintentionally harms a second victim instead. In this case, the defendant's intent transfers from the intended victim to the actual victim and can be used to satisfy the...
trap and trace device
A device or process that records the sources of incoming signals to a specific phone or computer. Often used by law enforcement as the advanced counterpart of Caller ID. A trap and trace device identifies the phone numbers or Internet addresses of...
treason
Treason refers to the betrayal of one’s own country by attempting to overthrow the government through waging war against the state or materially aiding its enemies.
According to the United States Constitution, Article III,...
trespass
Trespass is knowingly entering another owners’ property or land without permission, which encroaches on the owners’ privacy or property interests. There are many laws relating to trespass.
Tort LawTrespass to Land: If an...
true bill
True bill (also called true bill of indictment) refers to a decision to indict a criminal defendant by a Grand Jury. When a Grand Jury decides the prosecution has provided enough evidence to show probable cause, they give a true bill which...
turn state's evidence
Turn state’s evidence (also known as “turn King’s evidence”) or to "flip” means the defendant chose to reveal valuable evidence to the prosecutor, in exchange for a reduction of the charge or the dismissal of some charges. When the defendant...