• Abduction
  Taking away by violence or fraud and persuasion; kidnapping. Usually a female or wife, child or ward.
  

• Abet
  See Aiding and Abetting.
  

• Absolute discharge
  When the judge has found you guilty of an offence but decides that you should not be punished.
  

• Abstraction
  Taking away with intent to harm or deceive.
  

• Access Security Requirements
  Checklist of measures designed to reduce unauthorized access of consumer reports.
  

• Accessory
  Not the perpetrator of the crime but in some way involved without being present in the commission of the crime.
  

• Accessory After the Fact
  One who helps a criminal to elude arrest.
  

• Accessory Before the Fact
  One who induces another to commit a crime.
  

• Accomplice
  Someone who helps another person (known as the principal) commit a crime.
  

• Account Condition
  Indicates the present state of the account, but does not indicate the payment history of the account that led to the current state. (i.e. open, paid, charge off, repossession, settled, foreclosed, etc).

• Account Number
  The unique number assigned by a creditor to identify your account with them. Experian removes several digits of each account number on the credit report as a fraud prevention measure.

• Accounts in Good Standing
  Credit items that have a positive status and should reflect favorably on your creditworthiness.

• Acquittal
  A not-guilty verdict absolving an accused party of guilt. Release or absolution.
  

• Active Warrant
  This either means the defendant failed to appear in court or failed to pay a fine so a warrant has been placed for arrest.
  

• ADA
  See Americans with Disabilities Act.
  

• Adjudication
  The legal process by which a case or claim is settled. May also be the final pronouncement of judgment in a case or claim.
  

• Adjudication Withheld
  The court will withhold a decision until a future date. Usually some sort of probation is added and if the defendant complies with the conditions for a specified period of time, the case will be dismissed.
  

• Adjustment
  Percentage of the debt that is to be repaid to the credit grantors in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
  

• Adverse Action Notice
  Required notice provided to consumer informing them they have been denied employment and where information was obtained.
  

• Affidavit
  A voluntarily, written statement of fact, confirmed by oath.
  

• Affray
  Brawl or disturbance. Not premeditated.
  

• Aggravated
  (assault, battery, arson, etc.) Circumstances surrounding the commission of a crime or tort which increase or add to its injurious consequences.
  

• Aiding and Abetting
  To assist and/or incite another to commit a crime.
  

• AKA
  Also Known As

• Alias
  False name used in substitution of a legal name on official documents and for official purposes. Nicknames are not considered aliases. May be noted as AKA (Also Known As) on criminal records.
  

• Alternative measures
  A system by which young people who break the law are dealt with outside the regular court system.
  

• Americans with Disabilities Act
  U.S. civil-rights law, enacted 1990, that forbids discrimination of various sorts against persons with physical or mental handicaps.
  

• Annual Fee
  Credit card issuers often (but not always) require you to pay a special charge once a year for the use of their service, usually between $15 and $55.
  

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
  A measure of how much interest credit will cost you, expressed as an annual percentage.
  

• Antitrust Acts or Laws
  Laws to protect trade and commerce from unlawful practice.
  

• Appeal
  A complaint to a superior court to review the decision of a lower court.
  

• Appellant
  One who makes a complaint to a superior court to review the decision of a lower court.
  

• Appellate Court
  A court having jurisdiction of appeal and review. Not a trial court.

• Applicant
  The subject of the inquiry - a job applicant or current employee who is the subject of an employment verification or reference.
  

• Appropriate
  To take something from another for one's own use or benefit.
  

• Archive/Archives
  The place where records are stored after a certain specified period of time. The period of time a record is held at a court of record may differ between courts and states.

• ARD Program (PA)
  ARD stands for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition and it's unique to Pennsylvania DUI law.  This program is for first-time offenders, including DUI offenders, who would like to avoid the lengthy process of a trial and accept some alternate consequences.

• Arraignment
  A call to the accused to come before the court to hear charges or enter a plea.
  

• Arrest
  The taking of an individual into custody by law enforcement personnel for the purpose of charging them with an illegal act.
  

• Arrest Record
  An official form completed by the police department when a person is arrested. Also, a cumulative record of all instances in which a person has been arrested.
  

• Arrest Warrant
  A document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes the police to arrest someone.
  

• Arson
  The attempted or intentional destruction of property by fire or explosion.
  

• Assault
  Intentional or threatened infliction of injury to another. The classification of "aggravated" is assigned when the injury is considered serious or when injury is threatened or carried out with the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon.

• Authorized User
  Person permitted by a credit cardholder to charge goods and services on the cardholder's account but who is not responsible for repayment of the debt. The account displays on the credit reports of the cardholder as well as the authorized user. If you wish to have your name permanently removed as an authorized user on an account, you will need to notify the credit grantor.

• Background Check
  A detailed inquiry or systematic examination of an individuals past.
  

• Bail
  An amount of money, set by a judge at an initial appearance to ensure the return of the accused at subsequent proceedings.
  

• Bail Jumping
  Where a person doesn't show up to court at the specified time even after the person paid bail or posted a bond.
  

• Balloon Payments
  A loan with a balloon payment requires that a single, lump-sum payment be made at the end of the loan.
  

• Bankruptcy Code
  Federal laws governing the conditions and procedures under which persons claiming inability to repay their debts can seek relief.
  

• Battery
  Non-consensual, unlawful contact, such as touching, beating or wounding of another. See Assault.
  

• Bench Trial
  Trial without a jury in which a judge decides which party prevails.
  

• Bench Warrant
  A process delivered by the court directing a law enforcement agency to bring a specified individual before the court.
  

• Bind Over
  To put under bond to appear in court. The term is also used when a case is shifted from a lower court to a higher court.
  

• Blackmail
  An illegal demand for money or property under threat of harm or exposure of undesirable acts.
  

• Bond
  A certificate of obligation, either unsecured or secured with collateral, to pay a specified amount of money within a specified period of time.
  

• Bond Forfeiture
  Bond forfeiture occurs when a case has been disposed and a fine is to be, or has been paid. If it is a first offense, it is listed on the record but not classified as a conviction; any other time it is classified as a conviction.
  

• Bookmaking
  An operation with the purpose of placing, registering, paying off or collecting debts for bets.
  

• Burglary
  The act of entering a premises, without the privilege to enter, with the purpose of committing a crime. States may classify as first, second, or third degree burglary.
  

• Capacity
  Factor in determining creditworthiness. Capacity is assessed by weighing a borrower's earning ability and the likelihood of continuing income against the amount of debt the borrower carries at the time the application for credit is made. While capacity may be considered in a credit decision, the credit report does not contain information about earning ability or the likelihood of continuing income.
  

• Capias
  The Latin meaning is "That You Take". This is the name for several types of writs which require that a law enforcement official take a named defendant into custody.
  

• Capital Case/Crime
  Case or crime for which the death penalty may be imposed.
  

• Capital Punishment
  Punishment by death for capital crime.
  

• Carnal
  Sexual, sensual. Carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse.
  

• Cause of Action
  One or more related charges, combined and made against a defendant for wrongs committed.
  

• Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
  Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that is usually used for the reorganization of a financially troubled business. Used as an alternative to liquidation under Chapter 7. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that an individual may also use Chapter 11.
  

• Chapter 12 Bankruptcy
  Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code adopted to address the financial crisis of the nation's farming community. Cases under this chapter are administered like Chapter 11 cases, but with special protections to meet the special conditions of family farm operations.
  

• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code in which debtors repay debts according to a plan accepted by the debtor, the creditors and the court. Plan payments usually come from the debtor's future income and are paid to creditors through the court system and the bankruptcy trustee.
  

• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that provides for court administered liquidation of the assets of a financially troubled individual or business.

• Charge
  In criminal law, a charge is an allegation that an individual has committed a specific offense.
  

• Charge-Off
  Action of transferring accounts deemed uncollectible to a category such as bad debt or loss. Collectors will usually continue to solicit payments, but the accounts are no longer considered part of a company's receivable or profit picture.
  

• Circuit
  Judicial division of the United States or of an individual state.
  

• Circuit Courts
  Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several counties or districts. (There are thirteen judicial circuits wherein the U.S. Courts of Appeals reside).
  

• Citation
  An order issued by a law enforcement officer requiring appearance in court to answer a charge. Bail is not accepted in lieu of appearance.

• City Court
  Courts that try persons accused of violating municipal ordinances. City courts may have jurisdiction over minor civil or criminal cases, or both.
  

• Civil Action
  Any court action against a consumer to regain money for someone else. Usually, it will be a wage assignment, child support judgment, small claims judgment or a civil judgment.

• Civil Disorder
  A violent public disturbance by three or more people which causes danger, damage or injury to property or persons.
  

• Claim Amount
  The amount awarded in a court action.

• Closed Date
  The date an account was closed.

• Co-defendant
  One of a group of two or more people charged in the same crime.
  

• Co-maker
  A creditworthy co-maker is sometimes required in situations where an applicant's qualifications are marginal. A co-maker is legally responsible to repay the charges in the joint account agreement.
  

• Co-signer
  Person who pledges in writing as part of a credit contract to repay the debt if the borrower fails to do so. The account displays on both the borrower's and the co-signer's credit reports.
  

• Coercion
  The use of physical force or threats to compel someone to commit an act against their will.
  

• Compounding Crime
  The receipt by an individual of consideration in exchange for an agreement not to prosecute or inform on someone who they know has committed a crime.
  

• Concurrent Sentences
  Two or more terms of imprisonment served simultaneously.

• Conditional Discharge
  A conviction. Court issues the discharge from the jail and requires defendant to comply with some conditions. Regardless whether defendant complies with rules or not, he/she is still convicted (GUILTY) and case can never be expunged.
  

• Conditional Release
  The release from a correctional facility before full sentence has been served which is conditioned on specific behavior. If conditions are not met, the individual may be returned to the facility.
  

• Consecutive Sentences
  Multiple sentences, served one after the other.
  

• Consumer Credit Counseling Service
  A non-profit organization that assists consumers in dealing with their credit problems. Consumer Credit Counseling Service has offices throughout the United States that can be located by calling 800 388 CCCS (2227).

• Contempt of Court
  An act committed which serves to obstruct the court in its administration or authority.
  

• Conversion
  The unauthorized taking of another's property.
  

• Conviction
  Guilty verdict in a criminal trial.
  

• Corruption
  Destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity.

• Count/Charge
  An offense named in a cause of action. A cause of action may contain multiple counts or charges, each relating to the others but identifying a separate offense.
  

• County Criminal Conviction Search
  A search for criminal convictions at the appropriate state (county) court adjudicating crimes against a state's criminal code. This search will reveal all felony convictions as well as felony charges reduced to misdemeanor charges thus resulting in misdemeanor convictions. Courts are searched directly at the source via in person, the court's Internet web site, or direct connection into the court's index.
  

• County Misdemeanor Criminal Conviction Search
  A search conducted in a count repository (court) that combines misdemeanor records for all municipal courts located within a county. Courts are searched directly at the source via in person, the court's Internet web site, or direct connection into the court's index.
  

• Court of Limited Jurisdiction
  Court that has authority to adjudicate cases of a certain kind or up to a limited amount, usually lesser offenses. (Opposite of Court of General Jurisdiction).
  

• CPSP
  Criminal possession of stolen property

• Credit Card Fraud
  Use, or attempted use of a credit card to purchase goods or services with the intent to avoid payment of such.
  

• Credit Items
  Information reported by current or past creditors.

• Credit Limit/Line of Credit
  In open-end credit, the maximum amount a borrower can draw upon or the maximum that an account can show as outstanding.

• Credit Report
  Confidential report on a consumer's payment habits as reported by their creditors to a consumer credit reporting agency. The agency provides the information to credit grantors who have a permissible purpose under the law to review the report.
  

• Credit Scoring
  Tool used by credit grantors to provide an objective means of determining risks in granting credit. Credit scoring increases efficiency and timely response in the credit granting process. Credit scoring criteria is set by the credit grantor.

• Creditworthiness
  The ability of a consumer to receive favorable consideration and approval for the use of credit from an establishment to which they applied.
  

• Crime Against Nature
  Deviate sexual intercourse.
  

• Criminal Activity
  Any activity which violates state statutes, ordinances, or codes, and constitutes a criminal act under the law (excluding traffic violations).

• Criminal Complaint
  In criminal law, a charge, preferred before a magistrate having jurisdiction, that a person named, has committed a specific offense, with an offer to prove the fact, to the end that a prosecution may be instituted.
  

• Criminal Homicide
  The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.
  

• Criminal Nonsupport
  Failure to pay child support in violation of court order.
  

• Criminal Plea
  The defendant's response to a criminal charge (guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere).
  

• Culpability
  Blame, or degree of responsibility for a crime. This may be in degrees of purposeful, knowingly, recklessly or by negligence.
  

• Cumulative Sentence
  A sentence that takes effect after a prior sentence is completed for crimes tried under the same cause of action.
  

• Damages
  Monetary compensation claimed by a person who has suffered loss or injury to his/her person, property, or rights as a result of the negligence or unlawful conduct of another.
  

• Date filed
  The date that a public record was awarded.

• Date of Status
  On the credit report, date the creditor last reported information about the account.
  

• Date Opened
  On the credit report, indicates the date an account was opened.
  

• Date Rape
  Rape perpetrated by the victim's social escort.

• Date resolved
  The completion date or satisfaction date of a public record item.

• Dead Docket
  The case never went to trial. The case can be reopened if new evidence is submitted.
  

• Deadly Conduct
  Wielding a dangerous weapon, i.e. knife, gun, etc., or threatening to cause harm onto someone.
  

• Deadly Weapon
  A weapon designed to cause serious injury or death.
  

• Deceptive Practice
  Writing bad checks.

• Declined
  DA Declined to Prosecute. Not enough evidence to take to grand jury.
  

• Defendant
  A person against whom a cause of action is taken.
  

• Deferred Adjudication of Guilt
  

  The final judgment is delayed for a period of time. Can be likened to probation before a final verdict. If "probation" is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped and the case is dismissed. During the "probationary period" the disposition is not reported.
  

• Deferred Discharge
  Dismissed and considered a non-conviction.
  

• Deferred Probation
  The judge doesn't make a finding of guilt; he assigns probation. If probation is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped.

• Deferred Sentence
  Postponement of the pronouncement of the sentence.
  

• Defraud
  Knowingly misrepresenting facts to cheat or trick.
  

• Degree (First, Second, or Third, A, B or C)
  Classification assigned to a crime, depending on circumstances, for purposes of determining punishment. First degree is considered more serious than second or third; A is more serious than B or C.
  

• Delinquent
  Accounts classified into categories according to the time past due. Common classifications are 30, 60, 90 and 120 days past due. Special classifications also include charge-off, repossession, transferred, etc.
  

• Depravity
  Degrading, immoral acts or habits.
  

• Derogatory Information
  A result that could be classified as adverse to the Subject under FCRA or other applicable laws.
  

• Designated Employer Representative (DER)
  An employee authorized by the employer to take immediate action(s) to remove employees from safety-sensitive duties, or cause employees to be removed from these covered duties, and to make required decisions in the testing and evaluation processes. The DER also receives test results and other communications for the employer, consistent with the requirements of this part. Service agents cannot act as DERs.
  

• DHHS
  The Department of Health and Human Services or any designee of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
  

• Directed Verdict
  A determination by a jury, made at the direction of the judge. A directed verdict happens in cases where there has been a lack of evidence, an overwhelming amount of evidence, or where the law is in favor of one of the parties.
  

• Discharge
  Granted by the court to release a debtor from most of his debts that were included in a bankruptcy. Any debts not included in the bankruptcy - alimony, child support, liability for willful and malicious conduct and certain student loans - cannot be discharged.
  

• Disclosure
  Providing the consumer with his or her credit history as required by the FCRA. Experian provides consumer credit report disclosures via the Internet, by U.S. Mail or in person at our office location in Santa Ana, CA.
  

• Discovery
  The pre-trial devices that can be used by one party to obtain facts and information about the case from the other party in order to assist the party's preparation for trial.
  

• Dismissal
  Finally disposing of the cause without further consideration. May be voluntary or involuntary. When involuntary, there is usually lack of prosecution or failure to produce sufficient evidence.
  

• Dismissal With Leave
  Dismissal with leave is failure to appear. A warrant for arrest may be issued.
  

• Dismissal With Prejudice
  When a case is dismissed for good reason and the plaintiff is barred from bringing an action on the same claim.
  

• Dismissal Without Leave
  Dismissal without leave means that there is no permission to amend or refile a complaint, it is dismissed completely. It denies the party the opportunity to refile, such as to correct omissions or a lack of conformity to legal requirements.

• Dismissal Without Leave After Deferred
  Prosecution Charges dismissed after specified time (90 days to 1 year) provided certain conditions have been met such as participating in specified program of anger control or drug counseling or providing community service, etc.
  

• Dismissal Without Prejudice
  When a case is dismissed but the plaintiff is allowed to bring a new suit on the same claim.
  

• Dismissed
  When a consumer files a bankruptcy, the judge may decide to not allow the consumer to continue with the bankruptcy. If the judge rules against the petition, the bankruptcy is known as dismissed.

• Disorderly Conduct
  An act which unreasonably alarms or disturbs another and provokes as breach of the peace.
  

• Disposed/Disposition
  The final settlement in the matter. Examples of disposed cases are those with a finding of guilt (conviction), innocence, or acquittal.
  

• Dispute
  If a consumer believes an item of information on their credit report is inaccurate or incomplete, they may challenge, or dispute the item. Experian will investigate and correct or remove any inaccurate information or information that cannot be verified. Experian gives consumers the option of disputing online or they may call the telephone number on their credit report for assistance.

• District Attorney
  A lawyer who is elected to represent a state government in criminal cases in a designated county or judicial district. A D.A.'s duties typically include reviewing police arrest reports, deciding whether to bring criminal charges against arrested people and prosecuting criminal cases in court

• Diversion Program
  To set aside. A court direction which calls a defendant, who has been found guilty, to attend a work or educational program as part of probation. May include some type of anger management, drug rehab, etc. If the condition of program is met, charge may be dropped.
  

• Diversity of Citizenship
  A crime or claim which extends between citizens of different states. This is one of the grounds that can be used to invoke the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal District Court.
  

• Docket Record
  A court's official record of proceedings and calendar of upcoming cases.
  

• Domestic Violence
  Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating.
  

• Drivers License Abstract
  Search of the state Bureau of Motor Vehicle records for driver information including status, accidents, suspensions and violations.
  

• Driving While Intoxicated
  Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Complete intoxication is not required. Individual state statutes specify the blood alcohol content at which a person is presumed to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
  

• Dropped
  Not sufficient evidence to prosecute.
  

• Due Diligence
  A reasonable and expected measure of attention taken for a particular action. Not measurable by an absolute standard, but dependant on the situation.
  

• Due Process of Law
  Procedures followed by law enforcement and courts to insure the protection of an individual’s rights as assigned by the Constitution.
  

• DUI
  Driving under the influence.

• DWI
  Driving while impaired.

• DWLS
  Driving while license suspended.

• ECOA
  Standard abbreviation for Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

• Education Verification
  The process of verifying a person's scholastic history by contacting the educational institutions or any of the automated verification systems available.
  

• EEOC
  See Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

• Embezzlement
  The taking of another's money or property by one entrusted with its possession, usually through employment.
  

• Employment Screening
  A system for preliminary appraisal and selection of personnel as to their suitability for particular jobs.
  

• Employment Verification
  The process of verifying a person's past and/or present work history by contacting their past and/or present employers or any of the automated verification systems available.
  

• End-user
  The business that receives the report for decision making purposes that meet the permissible purpose requirements of the FCRA.

• Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
  Federal law, which prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of sex, marital status, race, color, religion, age, and/or receipt of public assistance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
  U.S. agency created in 1964 to end discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and to promote programs to make equal employment opportunity a reality.
  

• Equifax
  One of the three national credit reporting agencies, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. The other two are Experian and TransUnion.
  

• Evidence
  Any species of proof, or probative matter, legally presented at the trial of an issue, by the act of the parties and through the medium of witnesses, records, documents, exhibits, concrete objects, for the purpose of inducing belief in the minds of the court or jury as to their contention.
  

• Ex parte
  On one side only. When an act is one for one party only. For example, in an Ex parte proceeding, only one party to the case is heard.
  

• Experian
  One of the three national credit reporting agencies, with U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA. The other two are Equifax and TransUnion.
  

• Expunge/Expunged
  When a record of an offense is expunged it will not appear on a released criminal history. The record may be destroyed or sealed after a certain period of time. Records may be expunged in juvenile cases, or upon satisfactory completion of a court-ordered

• Extortion
  Obtaining another's property by actual or threatened force, fear or violence.
  

• Extradition
  The surrender of an individual accused or convicted of a crime by one state to another.
  

• FACT Act
  The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. This Act signed into law in December 2003, significantly modified the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

• Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act
  Amendments to the Truth In Lending Act that require the disclosure of the costs involved in credit card plans that are offered by mail, telephone or applications distributed to the general public.

• Fair Credit Billing Act
  Federal legislation that provides a specific error resolution procedure to protect credit card customers from making payments on inaccurate billings.

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
  Federal legislation governing the actions of consumer reporting agencies.
  

• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
  Federal legislation prohibiting abusive and unfair debt collection practices.

• False Imprisonment
  Intentionally restraining another person without having the legal right to do so.

• FCC
  Abbreviation for criminal charge "False Claiming U.S. Citizenship".
  

• Federal Criminal Conviction Search
  A search for criminal convictions at the appropriate federal district court adjudicating crimes against the United States Code. Courts are searched directly at the source via in person, the court's Internet web site, or direct connection into the court's index.
  

• Felonious
  

  Describing an offense which is done with malicious, villainous criminal intent. IE: felonious assault.

• Felony
  A serious offense carrying a penalty of incarceration from one year to life in a state prison, to the death penalty.
  

• Felony Conversion
  (Fraudulent Conversion) Similar to embezzlement or theft. An example of felony conversion is if someone sold goods for a company, and kept the money instead of turning it in to the company. (North Carolina)
  

• Finance Charge
  Amount of interest. Finance charges are usually included in the monthly payment total.
  

• First Offender Act (Georgia)
  Upon a verdict or plea of guilty or nolo contendere, but before an adjudication of guilt, the court may, in the case of a defendant who has not been previously convicted of a felony, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the defendant, defer further proceeding and place the defendant on probation as a first offender. If the terms of the first offender sentence are successfully completed, and the probationer discharged, the arrest record is sealed. GCIC must receive official notification that the subject has successfully completed the FOA requirements. The record is not automatically sealed based on the elapse of the probation sentence.
  

• Fixed Rate
  An annual percentage rate that does not change.

• FMFR
  Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.
  

• Forcible Entry
  Entering or taking possession of property with force, threats or menacing conduct.
  

• Forgery
  The false making or the material altering of a document with the intent to defraud.
  

• Fraud
  A broad term used to cover all kinds of acts. Generally, fraud is the commission of an act with the goal to benefit or gain advantage at another's expense. A purposeful misrepresentation with the intent to deceive.
  

• FTA
  Failure to appear.
  

• Generation Identifier
  Generation identifiers are Jr., Sr., II, III, IV, etc.

• Geographical Code
  This information is received from the Census Bureau and represents the state, Metropolitan Statistical Area, county, tract and block group of the reported address. This code is similar to a ZIP code.

• Georgia 1st Offender Act
  Upon a verdict or plea of guilty or nolo contendere, but before an adjudication of guilt, the court may, in the case of a defendant who has not been previously convicted of a felony, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of the defendant, defer further proceeding and place the defendant on probation as a first offender. If the terms of the first offender sentence are successfully completed, and the probationer discharged, the arrest record is sealed. GCIC must receive official notification that the subject has successfully completed the FOA requirements. The record is not automatically sealed based on the elapse of the probation sentence. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-65(b)) requires GCIC to change the first offender sentence to a conviction if, prior to successful discharge, the subject is arrested and convicted of another offense while still on first offender probation. Courts may also revoke a first offender sentence, indicate unsatisfactory completion of the first offender sentence or change to an adjudication of guilt.
  

• Grace Period
  The time period you have to pay a bill in full and avoid interest charges.

• Grading of Crime
  Higher or lower in grade or degree, according to the measure of punishment attached and meted out on conviction and the consequences resulting to the party convicted, for example first, second, or third degree murder.
  

• Grand Jury
  A body of persons with the authority to investigate and accuse, but not to try cases. The grand jury will listen to and review evidence to see if it there are sufficient grounds to bring an individual to trial.
  

• Grand Larceny
  The theft of property over a specified value. Dollar amounts vary by state.
  

• Gross
  Flagrant, out of measure.
  

• Gross Misdemeanor
  Serious misdemeanor.
  

• Guarantor
  Person responsible for paying a bill.
  

• Guilt/Guilty
  Final disposition. Having committed a crime.
  

• Guilty in Absentia - Conviction
  The jury has found the defendant guilty without his having appeared in court.

• Habeas Corpus
  A writ requesting a trial or the release of a prisoner.
  

• Habitual Violator
  To have committed the same offence three times. Can also be charged as a habitual offender.
  

• Hate Crimes
  A criminal offense committed against a person, property, or society, which is motivated, in whole or part, by the offnders bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic/national origin.
  

• Held
  See "Adjudication Withheld."
  

• High Balance
  The highest amount that you have owed on an account to date.
  

• Hijacking
  To take control of a vehicle by intimidation, force or threatened force. Also, the theft of goods while in transit, as when transported in trucks.
  

• Homicide
  The killing of another human being. "Justifiable homicide" occurs in cases such as during the enforcement of law, and/or occurs without evil intent. "Excusable homicide" may occur by accident or in self-defense. "Felonious homicide" is the killing of anot.
  

• Hung Jury
  A hung jury is one in which all jurors cannot reach a consensus required for a verdict.
  

• I-9 Form
  Federal form for employment eligibility verification.

• Identification Information
  Data elements used to perform search and retrieval of data and returned as part of found information. Used to determine whether data belongs to a subject-e.g., full name - including middle name, generation (Jr., Sr., 2nd, 3rd), date of birth, Social Security Number, current or previous addresses.
  

• Identity Theft
  Identity theft occurs when somebody steals your name and other personal information for fraudulent purposes. Identity theft is a form of identity crime (where somebody uses a false identity to commit a crime).
  

• Illicit
  Prohibited or unlawful.
  

• Incendiary
  One who intentionally set fires. Arsonist.
  

• Incorrigible
  One who is incapable of reform.
  

• Indecent Exposure
  Indecent exposure is publicly displaying one's genitalia to one or more people, usually with the intent to shock or disturb the unsuspecting viewer.
  

• Indictment
  A formal, written accusation made by the grand jury.
  

• Information Security Policies
  Guidelines for protection, access, dissemination, storage and destruction of personally sensitive information.
  

• Infraction
  Violation of local ordinance or state statute usually resulting in a fine or limited period of incarceration.
  

• Injunction
  A court order which prohibits a person from doing a specified act for a specified period of time.
  

• Installment Credit
  Credit accounts in which the debt is divided into amounts to be paid successively at specified intervals.
  

• Intent
  The frame of mind or attitude of the person at the time an act was committed. See Culpability.
  

• Investigation
  The process a consumer credit reporting agency goes through in order to verify credit report information disputed by a consumer. The credit grantor who supplied the information is contacted and asked to review the information and report back; they will tell the credit reporting agency that the information is accurate as it appears, or they will give us corrected information to update the report.
  

• Investigative Consumer Reports
  These are consumer reports that are usually done for background checks, security clearances and other sensitive jobs. An investigative consumer report might contain information obtained from a credit report, but it is more comprehensive than a credit report. It contains subjective material on an individual's character, habits and mode of living, which is obtained through interviews of associates. Experian does not provide investigative consumer reports.
  

• Involuntary Bankruptcy
  A petition filed by certain credit grantors to have a debtor judged bankrupt. If the bankruptcy is granted, it is known as an involuntary bankruptcy.

• Involuntary Dismissal
  Dismissed due to lack of prosecution or lack of evidence.
  

• Item-specific Statement
  Offers an explanation about a particular trade or public record item on your report, and it displays with that item on the credit report.

• Judgment
  The final decision of the court regarding a claim or case.
  

• Judgment Granted
  The determination of a court upon matters submitted to it. A final determination of the rights of the parties involved in the lawsuit.

• Judgment of Conviction
  A judgment conviction shall set forth the plea, the verdict or findings, and the adjudication and sentence.
  

• Jurisdiction
  The power of a court to question facts, apply law, make decisions and judgments.
  

• Justice of the Peace Court (Justice Court)
  A court in a precinct in the county that hears misdemeanor cases occurring in the county and preliminary hearings for felony cases. This court also hears civil cases when the dollar amount is less than $10,000.

• Juvenile
  A person under 17 years of age, also referred to as a youth. Also see minor.
  

• Kidnapping
  Taking and carrying away a person by force, fraud, threats or intimidation. Unlawfully confining a person for a substantial period of time in an isolated place.
  

• Larceny
  The unlawful taking of another person's property. Larceny is commonly classified as "petty" or "grand" depending on the value of the property. Dollar values to establish classifications of "petty" and "grand" may vary from state to state.
  

• Last Reported
  On the credit report, the date the creditor last reported information about the account.
  

• Legal Malice
  An act, committed without just cause or excuse, intended to inflict harm or cause death.
  

• Lewd and Lascivious
  Obscene, indecent.
  

• Liability Amount
  Amount for which you are legally obligated to a creditor.

• Libel
  Defamation of another person through print, pictures, or signs.
  

• Lien
  Legal document used to create a security interest in another's property. A lien is often given as a security for the payment of a debt. A lien can be placed against a consumer for failure to pay the city, county, state or federal government money that is owed. It means that the consumer's property is being used as collateral during repayment of the money that is owed.

• Line of Credit
  In open-end credit, the maximum amount a borrower can draw upon or the maximum that an account can show as outstanding.

• Lis Pendens
  A pending suit.
  

• Location number
  The book and page number on which the item is filed in the court records.
  

• Magistrate
  Public officials, including judicial officers who have limited jurisdiction in criminal cases and civil causes.
  

• Magistrate Court
  The Magistrate Court has jurisdiction to issue warrants for all criminal offenses, hold committal hearings, issue citations for bad checks and violations of zoning ordinances, and issue good behavior bonds. The Magistrate Court also has civil jurisdiction on cases up to $15,000.00 if exclusive jurisdiction is not vested in the Superior Court. Garnishments may also be filed in the Magistrate Court. The Magistrate Court issues subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses, conducts hearings and trials and, when requested, Magistrates serve as judges in other Courts. Magistrates also perform wedding ceremonies.
  

• Mail Fraud
  The use of the mail system to commit a fraud.

• Malice Aforethought
  Planning to commit an unlawful act without just cause or excuse.
  

• Manslaughter
  The unpremeditated killing of a person. Can be voluntary or involuntary, determined by circumstances. The feature distinguishing involuntary manslaughter from voluntary is the absence of intent to cause death or commit an act that might be expected to pro
  

• Matching Logic
  The use of identifiers provided with a search request to determine whether a record belongs to a subject.
  

• Mayhem
  The intentional infliction of injury on another which causes amputation, disfigurement or impairs the function of any part of the body.
  

• Minor
  A person under 21 years of age. Also see juvenile.
  

• Mistrial
  A trial which is terminated or declared invalid. Reasons for mistrial include misconduct on the part of the jury, defense team or the court, or illness on the part of the judge, jury or defendant. May be followed by a retrial on the same charges.
  

• Mortgage Identification Number (MIN)
  Indicates that a loan is registered with Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., which tracks the ownership of mortgage rights. This number will follow the homeowner throughout the mortgage.
  

• Most Recent Date
  The date of the recent account condition or payment status. This date is also the balance date.
  

• Multi-Source Offender
  Criminal records appear in jurisdictions outside of search area. (also Multi-State Offender).
  

• Municipal Criminal Conviction Search
  A search conducted at the appropriate municipal court adjudicating crimes against a city code. Courts are searched directly at the source via in person, the court's Internet web site, or direct connection into the court's index.

• Murder
  Unlawful killing with malice aforethought. Murder is willful, deliberate and premeditated, or done during the commission of a crime. This classification of crime is generally divided by degrees, murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree.
  

• National Criminal Database Search
  A search of multi-geographical, aggregate criminal databases.
  

• NCL Suspended
  Non Commercial License Suspended

• Negligence
  Flagrant and reckless disregard of the safety of others. Willful indifference.
  

• Negligent Retention
  Retaining an employee after the employer became aware of the employee's unsuitability, thereby failing to act on that knowledge.
  

• Negligent Supervision
  Failing to provide the necessary monitoring to ensure that employees perform their duties properly.
  

• Negotiated Plea
  See Plea Bargain.
  

• NG
  Not Guilty.

• No Bill or No True Bill
  The decision by a grand jury that it will not bring indictment against the accused on the basis of the allegations and evidence presented by the prosecutor.
  

• No Contest
  A plea in which the defendant does not contest the charge. This has the same effect as a guilty plea except the conviction cannot be used against the defendant in a civil suit.
  

• No Papered
  The paperwork was never sent to the court by the District Attorney and the case was never filed. Therefore, it was never brought to trial.
  

• No Probable Cause
  There was not sufficient reason to bring case to trial.
  

• Nolle Pros/Nolle Prossed or Nolle Prosequi
  Latin phrase used by the district attorney or plaintiff when they do not wish to prosecute or proceed with the action.
  

• Nolo Contendre
  Latin phrase used by a defendant to say "I do not wish to contest." This plea in a criminal case has the legal effect of pleading guilty. See No Contest.
  

• Non Adjudication of Guilt - Non-conviction
  Same as adjudication withheld.
  

• Notice of Results
  If your investigation results in information being updated or deleted, you may request that we send the corrected information in your credit history to eligible credit grantors and employers who reviewed your information within a specific period of time. If your investigation does not result in a change to your credit history, results will not be sent to other lenders.

• NY OCA Criminal Records Search
  The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) provides a New York Statewide criminal history record search (CHRS). The search criteria is strictly based on exact match of Name and DOB (variations of Name or DOB are not reported.) The search includes data from all 62 counties pertaining to convictions and open/pending cases originating from City & County courts. Town & Village criminal disposition data is limited.

• Obsolescence
  A term used to describe how long negative information should stay in a credit file before it's not relevant to the credit granting decision. The FCRA has determined the obsolescence period to be 10 years in the case of bankruptcy and 7 years in all other instances. Unpaid tax liens may remain indefinitely, although Experian removes them after 15 years.

• Obstruction of Justice
  Any interference of the administration and due process of law.
  

• Obstruction of Officer
  Anyone who knowingly interferes with the work of police officers, investigators, or government agencies.
  

• Obtain Property under False Pretense
  The misrepresentation of the value of something. Passing bad check.
  

• OOS Conviction
  Out of state traffic violation conviction.

• Opt In
  The ability of a consumer who has opted out to have their name re-added to prescreened credit and insurance offer lists, direct marketing lists and individual reference service lists. Consumers who have previously opted out of receiving prescreened offers may have their names added to prescreened lists for credit and insurance offers by calling 1 888 5OPTOUT (1 888 567 8688).
  

• Opt Out
  The ability of the consumer to notify credit reporting agencies, direct marketers and list compilers to remove their name from all future lists. Consumers may opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offer lists by calling 1 888 5OPTOUT (1 888 567 8688).
  

• Original amount
  The original amount owed to a creditor.

• PAC
  Prohibitive alcohol concentration

• Pander
  To provide products or services which cater to the sexual gratification of others. To entice another into prostitution.
  

• Parole
  To release from confinement after serving part of a sentence, usually with terms and conditions provided in the parole order.
  

• Parole Violation
  An act that does not conform to the terms of parole.

• Payment Status
  Reflects the previous history of the account, including any delinquencies or derogatory conditions occurring during the previous seven years (i.e., Current account, delinquent 30, current was 60, redeemed repossession, charge-off - now paying, etc.)

• Pedophilia
  The act or fantasy on the part of an adult of engaging in sexual activity with a child or children.
  

• Perjury
  Intentionally making a false statement under oath.
  

• Permissible Purposes
  There are legally defined permissible purposes for a credit report to be issued to a third party. Permissible purposes include credit transactions, employment purposes, insurance underwriting, government financial responsibility laws, court orders, subpoenas, written instructions of the consumer, legitimate business needs, etc.
  

• Personal Information
  Information on your personal credit report associated with your records that has been reported to us by you, your creditors and other sources. It may include name variations, your driver's license number, Social Security number variations, your date or year of birth, your spouse's name, your employers, your telephone numbers, and information about your residence.

• Personal Statement
  You may request that a general explanation about the information on your report be added to your report. The statement remains for two years and displays to anyone who reviews your credit information.

• Petit Jury
  A jury, usually of 12, impaneled to hear a civil or criminal proceeding in court.
  

• Petition
  If a consumer files a bankruptcy, but a judge has not yet ruled that it can proceed, it is known as bankruptcy petitioned.
  

• Petty Offense
  An offense for which the only allowable penalty is a fine.
  

• Plaintiff
  One who initially brings legal action against another (defendant) seeking a court decision.

• Plea
  The defendant's formal answer to a charge.
  

• Plea Bargain
  A plea of guilt to a lesser offense in return for a lighter sentence.
  

• Pornography
  Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.
  

• Potentially Negative Items
  Any potentially negative credit items or public records that may have an effect on your creditworthiness as viewed by creditors.

• Prayer for Judgment, 1st Offense (NC)
  Asking the court to give leniency. No finding of guilt by the court.

• Pre-Trial Diversion
  Also known as adjournment in contemplation of dismissal or conditional dismissal. A program in which a defendant essentially is put on probation for a set period of time and his or her case does not go to trial during that time. If the defendant meets the conditions set by the court, then the charge will be dismissed.
  

• Pre-Trial Intervention
  An extensive background check to help determine if charges will be pressed.
  

• Preliminary Hearing
  A court hearing in a Justice Court or Preliminary Proceeding Court in which probable cause is determined.
  

• Probable Cause
  The amount of proof needed to determine that a crime occurred and the defendant committed the crime in order to proceed with prosecution in felony offenses.
  

• Probation
  Relief of all or part of a sentence on the promise of proper conduct.
  

• Process Other - Non-conviction
  Defendant was not charged on this count due to being charged for another count.
  

• Professional Reference
  Questioning of a individual's personal reference via phone interview, in-person interview, or faxed, mailed or electronic questionnaire.
  

• Professional Trade License Verification
  The process of verifying a person's occupational certification or licensing by contacting the various state agencies that maintain and coordinate the licensure process.
  

• Prosecute
  When a local District Attorney, state Attorney General or federal United States Attorney brings a criminal case against a defendant.
  

• Prosecutor
  A lawyer who works for the local, state or federal government to bring and litigate criminal cases.
  

• Public Record Data
  Included as part of the credit report, this information is limited to tax liens, lawsuits and judgments that relate to the consumer's debt obligations.

• PWC/Theft
  Passing Worthless Checks.
  

• Quash
  To vacate or make void as in to quash an indictment.
  

• Quashed
  Dismissed.
  

• Racketeering
  An organized conspiracy for the purpose of committing crimes of extortion or coercion.
  

• Rape
  Sex without consent. May be forcible or by intoxication, with a person who is underage and unable to give consent, or with a person with diminished mental and/or physical capabilities.
  

• Recent Balance
  The most recent balance owed on an account as reported by the creditor.

• Recent Payment
  The most recent amount paid on an account as reported by the creditor.
  

• Recidivism
  Repetition of criminal behaviour by an offender previously convicted and punished for an offence. Recidivism is a measure of the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs or the deterrent effect of punishment.

• Reckless Endangerment
  An act which does or could cause injury to another, not necessarily with intent.
  

• Redaction
  Redaction is done when a public record contains sensitive, private, or confidential information that is taken out of the document, or redacted, in a way that does not distort the meaning of the record. The practice of striking or otherwise taking out this type of material is called redaction.
  

• Refused
  Charges were not accepted by the District Attorney's Office.
  

• Refused - Non-conviction
  The case never went to trial. The state refused to hear the case.
  

• Rejected - Non-conviction
  The case never went to trial. The state rejected the hearing of the case.
  

• Released
  Action taken when a lien has been satisfied in full.

• Remand
  To return an individual to custody pending further trial, or to return a case from an appellate to a lower court for further proceedings.
  

• Report Number
  A number that uniquely identifies each personal Experian credit report. This number displays on your personal credit report and should always be referenced when you contact us.

• Reportable
  Records that exist within the (Reporting Period), which have not been lost, sealed, destroyed or otherwise rendered unavailable for public viewing and reportable under the guidelines set forth by FCRA and state consumer reporting laws.
  

• Reported Since
  On the credit report, the date the creditor started reporting the account to Experian.

• Reporting period
  The seven (7) year period over which information may be included in a consumer report as defined in Section 605 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The exceptions are criminal convictions (which may be reported without any time limit), bankruptcies (which may be reported for ten (10) years), and civil suits and judgments (which may be reported for seven years or until the relevant statute of limitation expires), or when the annual salary of the prospective hire equals or exceeds $75,000.
  
  

• Repossession
  A creditor's taking possession of property pledged as collateral on a loan contract on which a borrower has fallen significantly behind in payments.

• Request an Investigation
  If you believe that information on your report is inaccurate, we will ask the sources of the information to check their records at no cost to you. Incorrect information will be corrected; information that cannot be verified will be deleted. Experian cannot remove accurate information. An investigation may take up to 30 days. When it is complete, we'll send you the results.

• Request for Your Credit History
  When a credit grantor, direct marketer or potential employer makes a request for information from a consumer's credit report, an inquiry is shown on the report. Grantors only see credit inquiries generated by other grantors as a result of an application of some kind, while consumers see all listed inquiries including prescreened and direct marketing offers, as well as employment inquiries. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit grantors with a permissible purpose may inquire about your credit information prior to your consent. This section also includes the date of the inquiry and how long the inquiry will remain on your report.
  

• Responsibility
  Indicates who is responsible for an account; can be single, joint, co-signer, etc.

• Responsible - Non-conviction
  The defendant is responsible for the payment of the fines or fees of the crime. They are not found in guilt, however, must pay what they are ordered. Often found on traffic tickets or minor violation.
  

• Restitution
  The amount of money that the Judge orders the defendant to pay the victim as a condition of the defendant's sentence for the victim's out-of-pocket losses directly related to the crime.
  

• Restraining Order
  An order prohibiting a specified action until such time that a hearing on an application for an injunction can be held.
  

• Result
  An item of information obtained on a subject.

• Retired (as Disposition)
  The case can be brought up within the next year if the individual is arrested for anything. It is the judge's decision and only he can take action. If the individual remains "clean," then the case can be dismissed.
  

• Revolving Account
  Credit automatically available up to a predetermined maximum limit so long as a customer makes regular payments.

• RICO Act
  Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

• Risk Scoring Models
  A numerical determination of a consumer's creditworthiness. Tool used by credit grantors to predict future payment behavior of a consumer.

• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (often shortened to SOX) is legislation in response to the high profile Enron and WorldCom financial scandals to protect shareholders and the general public from accounting errors and fraudulent business practices. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act introduced stringent new rules "to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the securities laws". Sarbanes-Oxley is not a set of business practices and does not specify how a business should store records; rather, Sarbanes-Oxley defines which records are to be stored and for how long. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act states that all business records, including electronic records and electronic messages, must be saved for "not less than five years." The consequences for non-compliance are fines, imprisonment, or both.
  

• Satisfied
  If the consumer has paid all of the money the court says he owes, the public record item is satisfied.
  

• Search Logistics
  The details about the manner in which a search was performed-e.g., the date the search was completed; the jurisdiction it was performed in; the type of search that was done; the search scope; the key identifers used; etc.
  

• Secreting Lien Property
  Hiding property that has a lien filed against it.
  

• Secured Credit
  Loan for which some form of acceptable collateral, such as a house or automobile has been pledged.

• Security
  Real or personal property that a borrower pledges for the term of a loan. Should the borrower fail to repay, the creditor may take ownership of the property by following legally mandated procedures.
  

• Security Alert
  Statement that is added once Experian is notified that a consumer may be a victim of fraud. It remains on file for 90 days and requests that a creditor request proof of identification before granting credit in that person's name.

• Sedition
  Advocating the overthrow or reform of a government by unlawful means.
  

• Sentence
  A judgment of punishment for a criminal act.
  

• Serious Misdemeanor
  Having a more severe penalty than other misdemeanors.

• Service Credit
  Agreements with service providers. You receive goods, such as electricity, and services, such as apartment rental and health club memberships, with the agreement that you will pay for them each month. Your contract may require payments for a specific number of months, even if you stop the service.

• Settle
  Reach an agreement with a lender to repay only part of the original debt.

• Sex Offender
  One who is convicted of a sex crime.
  

• Sex Offender Classifications
  Sex offenders will be classified according to the degree of dangerousness they pose to the public and their likelihood for re-offense. An offender's classification will be: a Level 1 or "low risk" offender, a Level 2 or "moderate risk" offender, or a Level 3 or "high risk" offender.
  

• Sexual Abuse
  The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another, as by the use of threats or coercion. Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an adult and a minor or with a person of diminished mental capacity.
  

• Sexual Harassment
  The making of unwanted and offensive sexual advances or of sexually offensive remarks or acts, especially by one in a superior or supervisory position or when acquiescence to such behavior is a condition of continued employment, promotion, or satisfactory evaluation.
  

• Sexual Offender Database Search
  A search of any number of sexual offender databases or registries. Databases may be national, state or local in scope and provided by both private and public governmental entities.
  

• Shock Probation
  Placed into rehab for the crime committed. The rehab illustrates what kind of harm they have placed on the victim by having the criminal listen to stories and videos of actual victims.
  

• Simple Assault
  An unlawful physical attack by one person upon another where neither the offender displays a weapon, nor the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth or loss of conscientious.

• Slander
  Defamation verbal communication. Making false and malicious statements about another.
  

• Social Security Number Search
  Search of credit bureau files or other aggregate database files to authenticate the subject's ssn and name. Search may show prior addresses and other names (including maiden/alias/aka) associated with the subject. This search may also uncover evidence of identity theft and/or deceased numbers.
  

• Social Security Number Validation
  This search will validate the social security number by comparing the subject's ssn to the Social Security Administration's formula for order of issuance.
  

• Social Security Number Verification
  Confirmation of the subject's name and Social Security Number.
  

• Sodomy Laws
  A law which makes certain sexual acts into sex crimes, most commonly anal intercourse. Sometimes the definition of sodomy has been broader and included oral sex and bestiality as well.

• SOL
  Stricken of leave

• Solicitation
  Asking, urging or enticing.

• Source
  The business or organization that supplied certain information that appears on the credit report.

• State Court
  The function of the State Court is to provide a forum for the resolution of disputes between individuals or between the state and individuals. This Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors (crimes punishable by twelve months incarceration or less) and civil cases (unlimited in dollar amount) concurrently with the Superior Court except cases involving divorce, titles to land, and equity which are reserved exclusively to Superior Court.
  

• State Criminal Database Search
  A search of any number of criminal databases available in a particular state. Databases range from state department of corrections databases to proprietary criminal databases built by private entities.
  

• State Repository Criminal History Search
  A search of a state's official criminal repository managed by a State Agency. Not available in all states.
  

• Status
  On the credit report, this indicates the current status or state of the account.

• Status: Closed
  No further action will occur on this case; cannot be reopened at later date.
  

• Statute of Limitations
  The period of time within which a lawsuit must be brought, after which it is barred for lapse of time. In Illinois, a prosecution must be commenced within three years of the commission of a felony, or within one and one half years of the commission of a misdemeanor. There is no limitation on when a prosecution can be brought for murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, treason, arson, or forgery.
  

• Statutory Rape
  Sexual activity by an adult with a person under the age of consent.
  

• STET
  Set aside, Pending

• Stet Docket - Non-conviction
  Will not prosecute at this time. Eligible to be re-opened for one year if a violation is committed during that time. After the one-year period and no violations have been committed, it cannot be re-opened and the case is closed.

• Stricken
  To eliminate or expunge.
  

• Stricken of Leave
  Similar to a delayed dismissal but has the force and effect of a dismissal. The prosecuting attorney may re-file in an arbitrary re-filing against the defendant.
  

• Subpoena
  Legal document issued by the courts to order a person to appear as specified and give testimony and/or bring evidence.

• Summons
  Legal document issued by the court to notify defendant that a complaint has been filed and that he/she is required to appear and answer the complaint on or before the time and date specified. A summons is a notice to appear for a defendant who does not need to be arrested.
  

• Superior Court
  A trial court presided over by a Superior Court Judge in which all felony cases are held, all civil cases in which over $10,000 is in dispute, and in which appeals are heard from Municipal or Justice Court.
  

• Suspended Sentence
  Deferment of punishment usually over a period of probation.
  

• Terms
  This refers to the debt repayment terms of your agreement with a creditor, such as 60 months, 48 months, etc.

• Theft by False Pretenses
  Obtaining the title of the property of another by intentional misrepresentation with intent to deprive owner of value of property without his consent and to appropriate it to own use, followed by such appropriation.
  

• Theft of Services
  Obtaining services without consent through deception, threat, tampering, etc.
  

• Theft/unauthorized
  Theft by using someone else's information, credit card, check, or something similar.
  

• Tradeline
  Entry by a credit grantor to a consumer's credit history maintained by a credit reporting agency. A tradeline describes the consumer's account status and activity. Tradeline information includes names of companies where the applicant has accounts, dates accounts were opened, credit limits, types of accounts, balances owed and payment histories.

• Transaction Fees
  Fees charged for certain use of your credit line - for example, to get a cash advance from an ATM.
  

• TransUnion
  One of three national credit reporting agencies. The other two are Experian and Equifax.
  

• Trial
  A court proceeding where testimony is presented to a Judge or a jury to determine if the defendant is guilty of committing the crime(s).
  

• Truncated Files
  Destroyed or partially destroyed. Unable to obtain any more information.
  

• Truth in Lending Act
  Title I of the Consumer Protection Act. Requires that most categories of lenders disclose the annual interest rate, the total dollar cost and other terms of loans and credit sales.

• Type
  This refers to the type of credit agreement made with a creditor; for example, a revolving account or installment loan.

• United States Attorney
  
  The prosecutor in charge of enforcing the federal criminal laws of the United States.
  

• Unlawful Entry
  Entry without force and without permission by means of fraud or other wrongful act.
  

• Unsecured Credit
  Credit for which no collateral has been pledged. Loans made under this arrangement are sometimes called signature loans; in other words, a loan is granted based only on the customer's words, through signing an agreement that the loan amount will be paid.
  

• Usury
  Charging more interest than is permitted by law for a loan of money.
  

• Utter
  To exhibit or display a document to someone else; (a check)any attempt to cash a check or otherwise place it in circulation, and in so doing to state or imply, directly or indirectly, that the check and the endorsement is genuine.
  

• Uttering
  To forge another's name.
  

• Vacate (Judgment)
  To make void; to cancel.
  

• Vacated
  Indicates a judgment that was rendered void or set aside.

• Variable Rate
  An annual percentage rate that may change over time as the prime lending rate varies or according to your contract with the lender.
  
  

• Vehicular Homicide
  Death of another caused by the intentional, unlawful or negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
  

• Venue
  

  The geographic area where the case or claim occurred, within which a court with jurisdiction can hear and determine a case.

• Verdict
  The formal, final decision or finding made by a jury or judge.
  

• Verification
  Verifying whether data in a credit report is correct or not. Initiated by consumers when they question some information in their file. Credit reporting agencies will accept authentic documentation from the consumer that will help in the verification.
  

• Vetted
  To subject to a thorough examination or evaluation.
  

• Victim Statement
  A statement that can be added to a consumer's credit report to alert credit grantors that a consumer's identification has been used fraudulently to obtain credit. The statement requests the credit grantor to contact the consumer by telephone before issuing credit. It remains on file for 7 years unless the consumer requests that it be removed.
  

• Voluntary Bankruptcy
  If a consumer files the bankruptcy on his own, it is known as voluntary bankruptcy.
  

• Voluntary Dismissal
  The court or district attorney dismisses the charges against an individual.
  

• Wage Assignment
  A signed agreement by a buyer or borrower, permitting a creditor to collect a certain portion of the debtor's wages from an employer in the event of default.
  

• Waived - Conviction
  Mainly found in the state of North Carolina. This means the defendant has waived his/her right to trial and has pled guilty to the charges. In turn, the court accepts the plea of guilt.
  

• Waiver by Magistrate
  Charges are waived after the defendant agrees to pay a fine. The defendant is not prosecuted on this charge.
  

• Waiver of Jury
  The right to a jury trial is waived and the judge makes the decision of guilt or innocence.
  

• Wanton Reckless, Malicious.
  Without regard for the rights of others, indifferent to consequences to health, life or the reputation of another. Usually done without intent, but an act so unreasonable the perpetrator should know that harm will result.
  

• Warrant
  Court order authorizing a law enforcement official to arrest or perform search and seizure.
  

• Weapons Offenses
  The unlawful sale, distribution, manufacture, alteration, transport, possession or use of a deadly or dangerous weapon.
  

• White Collar Crime
  The term white-collar crime is an expression to denote an array of fraudulent schemes, corruption and commercial offenses perpetrated by "regular folks," con-men, businessmen and public officials alike. Its current usage includes a broad range of non-violent offenses where cheating, dishonesty or corruption are the central elements. It is also referred to as commercial crime, business crime or economic offenses. However, all these terms more appropriately fall under the broader umbrella of white-collar crime.
  

• With Prejudice
  Most often means a case cannot be reopened or refiled. Without Prejudice most often means a case can be reopened or refiled.
  

• With Specifications
  When W/S is listed after a charge, it is usually followed with a description of violence involved with the charge.
  

• Withdrawn
  This means a decision was made not to pursue a bankruptcy, a lien, etc. after court documents have been filed.
  

• Withheld
  Adjudication withheld.
  

• Worker's Compensation Search
  Search of state Bureau of Worker's Compensation records for current and past lost time injury or medical only worker compensation claims.
  

• Writ
  A written court order, or a judicial process.
  

• Writ of Replevin
  Legal document issued by a court authorizing repossession of security.

• Wrongful Entrustment
  Allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle.
  

• Youthful Offender
  Classification of youths and young adults, generally older then juveniles. In the 18 to 25 year age group, these individuals are sometimes given special sentencing consideration for the purpose of rehabilitation, sometimes through education and counseling

• Youthful Training Act
  Usually a non-conviction. Used for juvenile first-time offenders. It may be reported on a criminal record. If the juvenile complies with the sentence, the case will be dropped from the record when the offender reaches adulthood.
  

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