VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY

Office of Judicial Affairs

 

GLOSSARY OF JUDICIAL TERMS

 

 

TERM

DEFINITION

Accused

To charge formally with a wrongdoing.

Adjudicate/Adjudication

To hear and settle (a case) by judicial procedure.

Appeal

A proceeding for the review of a decision at a higher level.

Complainant

A party that makes a complaint or files a formal charge against another.

Complaint

A formal charge of a commission of a violation or other such offense.

Conduct

The way a person acts, especially from the standpoint of morality and ethics.

Deliberation

Discussion and consideration of all sides of an issue.

Development

A progressive state through which a person’s conduct improves.

Discipline

A punishment intended to develop, correct or train.

Disposition

The final determination of a matter.

Due Process

An established course for judicial proceedings designed to safeguard the rights of the accused.

Grievance

A complaint or protest based on a circumstance.

Hearing

A formal proceeding at which evidence and arguments may be presented on violations of the VUU Standards of Conduct, to be decided by a person or body having decision-making authority.

Hearing Board

A body of individuals selected, trained and sworn to impartially adjudicate into a question of fact and to give their verdict according to the evidence.

Incident Report

A written or verbal account of an occurrence or event that violates the VUU Standards of Conduct.

Investigation

The work of inquiring into a complaint thoroughly and systematically.

Judicial Affairs

A division of the Office of Student Affairs that responds to alleged violations of the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the VUU Student Handbook.

Mediation

An attempt to bring about a peaceful settlement or compromise between complainants through the objective intervention of a neutral party.

Not Responsible

Not found to be in violation of the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the VUU Student Handbook.

Offense

A violation of the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the VUU Student Handbook.

Penalty

A punishment for a crime or offense.

Responsible

Found to be in violation of the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the VUU Student Handbook.

Sanction

A specified penalty that serves to discipline through development.

Silent Support

A representative whose role is to accompany the accused to their hearing but may not communicate with the accused or the hearing board (both verbally and non-verbally) during the hearing.

Standards of Conduct

Policies and regulations, outlined in the Student Handbook, purposed to encourage responsible behavior, maintain social order and protect the rights of all on VUU’s campus.

Violation

An act that disregards the Standards of Conduct as outlined in the VUU Student Handbook.

Witness

One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced.