When a judge suppresses evidence, the judge excludes the evidence from trial. For example, if the police found incriminating evidence but obtained the evidence unconstitutionally, a defendant could move to suppress the evidence. If successful, the jury will not be allowed to learn about the evidence at trial.
A mistrial occurs when a judge decides that because of some error or violation the trial is no longer valid and must end. Sometimes a new trial will then take place with a new jury. A mistrial may also result if a jury cannot agree on a verdict.
To indict a defendant means that a grand jury determined that there is enough evidence to charge a defendant with a crime. Indict does not mean that a defendant is guilty. An indictment is, therefore, not a conviction. An indictment means that a grand jury determined based on evidence provided by a prosecutor that there…
To quash is to ask a court to order something to be suppressed or ended. A party served with a subpoena can move to quash the subpoena. That is, the party that received the subpoena is asking to suppress the subpoena and order that it is not under a legal obligation to comply with the…
To enjoin is when a court prohibits a party from doing something by issuing an order called an injunction. Sometimes a court will permanently enjoin a party from doing something and in other instances the court might only temporarily enjoin a party from engaging in a certain activity.
