Appellate Court: A court that hears cases on appeal from a superior court. There are six appellate court districts in California.
Collaborative Court: Special courts that combine intensive judicial supervision with rehabilitation services. Collaborative courts typically focus on a particular issue or two, such as substance use disorder, mental health, or domestic violence.
County Jail: A county-run correctional facility that houses people following their arrest, waiting for trial, following their revocation, or serving a sentence.
Credits: Reductions in the amount of time people must serve in county jail or state prison. Credits can be earned in various ways, including through good behavior or participation in rehabilitation programs.
Felony: The most serious type of crime, for which a person may be sentenced to state prison depending on their offense and criminal history. Felonies include various property and drug crimes, as well as crimes against persons. Certain felonies are classified in state law as “violent” or “serious.” Examples of violent felonies include murder, robbery, and rape. Serious felonies include most violent felonies, as well as other crimes, such as burglary of a residence. Generally, only people with a current or prior conviction for a serious, violent, or sex-related offense may be sent to state prison. Other people convicted of felonies are generally sentenced to county jail, probation, a combination of county jail and probation, or a split sentence.
Infraction: The least serious type of criminal offense, generally punishable by a fine. Many motor vehicle violations are considered infractions.
Mandatory Supervision: The portion of a split sentence that is served in the community under the supervision of a county probation officer.
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime than a felony, for which a person may be sentenced to probation, county jail, a fine, or some combination of the three. Examples of misdemeanors include assault, petty theft, driving under the influence, and possession of most illegal drugs for personal use.
Parole: Community supervision of certain people that have been released from state prison. Generally, only people whose current offense is serious or violent are supervised on parole following their release from state prison. This form of supervision is carried out by state parole agents.
Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS): Community supervision of certain people that have been released from state prison. Only people whose current offense is nonserious and nonviolent are supervised on PRCS following their release from state prison. This form of supervision is carried out by county probation officers.
Probation: A form of community supervision of people in lieu of a state prison or county jail term. This form of supervision is carried out by county probation officers. People can be placed on probation for misdemeanors or felonies.
Recidivism: The percentage of people released from state prison (or county jail) during a particular period who commit a new offense following their release. This can be measured in various ways, including as the percentage that are arrested, receive a revocation, are convicted of a new crime, and/or return to state prison during a specific follow-up period.
Revocation: The return of a person supervised by state parole agents or county probation officers to custody because the person violated one of the conditions of their supervision. Revocations may result from “technical” violations, such as failing to report for a drug test, or from violations that themselves could constitute a new crime. Revocation terms may be served in county jail or state prison depending on the person’s criminal history and the nature of the violation.
Split Sentence: A felony sentence where a portion is served in county jail and the remainder is served under mandatory supervision in the community provided by a county probation officer. Only people who have no current or prior convictions for a serious, violent, or sex-related offense may receive a split sentence.
State Prison: A state-run correctional facility where certain people convicted of felonies—generally those with a current or prior serious, violent, or sex-related conviction—are incarcerated.
State Supreme Court: The highest court in California—it reviews decisions made by the appellate or superior courts (however, it is possible for some cases to move directly to the Supreme Court without a lower court hearing them first).
Trial Court: The court where most legal proceedings begin. There is one trial court (also known as a superior court) in each county.
Wobbler: A type of crime that can be sentenced as either a felony or a misdemeanor. The sentencing decision on wobblers is left to the court and is generally based on the specific circumstances of the crime and the criminal history of the person being sentenced.
Last Updated: December 2024