• 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.
  

• Adulterated specimen
  A specimen that contains a substance that is not expected to be present in human urine, or contains a substance expected to be present but is at a concentration so high that it is not consistent with human urine.
  

• Adulteration
  The addition of a substance to the urine at the time of the collection is generally how adulteration is done; however, there are some commercially available products that are sold specifically as adulterants to add substances to one's urine to interfere with the testing process. There is also potential health risk to such internal adulterant; however, the actual risk is unknown. All SAMHSA-certified laboratories test for adulterants in urine.

• 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.
  

• Amphetamines
  Amphetamines are stimulants or "uppers" -- usually made synthetically in illegal labs. The effects include stimulation of the central nervous system, a sense of well-being and higher energy, a release of social inhibitions, and feelings of cleverness, competence and power. These are similar to the effects of cocaine but last longer. The term "amphetamine" refers to a large class of stimulants: amphetamines (black beauties, white bennies), dextroamphetamines (dexies, beans), and methamphetamines (crank, meth, crystal, speed). They can be taken orally, injected, smoked or snorted. Chronic use can cause paranoia, picking at the skin, auditory and visual hallucinations, and extremely violent and erratic behavior. Amphetamines are addictive.
  

• 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.
  

• Barbiturates
  Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia.
  

• 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.
  

• Benzodiazepines
  The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety or insomnia. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency.
  

• 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.
  

• Blood Alcohol Test
  Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is considered to be the standard for measuring the degree to which an individual is impaired by alcohol. For years, studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between the blood alcohol concentration and the degree to which reactions and judgments are impaired. The methodology used for blood alcohol testing is Gas Chromatography and is the most accurate forensic quality test in the industry today. However, drawing blood is an invasive and somewhat more expensive procedure that some companies prefer to avoid.

• 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.
  

• Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT)
  A person who instructs and assists employees in the alcohol testing process and operates an evidential breath testing device.
  

• 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.
  

• Canceled test
  A drug or alcohol test that has a problem identified that cannot be or has not been corrected, or which this part otherwise requires to be canceled. A canceled test is neither a positive nor a negative test.
  

• 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.
  

• CDS
  Controlled Dangerous Substance

• Chain of Custody
  The set of procedures to account for the integrity of each urine or blood specimen by tracking its handling and storage from point of specimen collection to final disposition of the specimen. In drug testing, this requires the use of the appropriate drug testing custody form, from the time of collection to receipt by the laboratory.
  

• 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.
  

• Collection site
  A place selected by the employer where employees present themselves for the purpose of providing a urine specimen for a drug test.
  

• Collector
  A person who instructs and assists employees at a collection site, who receives and makes an initial inspection of the specimen provided by those employees, and who initiates and completes the CCF.
  

• 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.
  

• Confirmation drug test
  A second analytical procedure performed on a urine specimen to identify and quantify the presence of a specific drug or drug metabolite.

• 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.
  

• Contraband
  An item that is illegal to possess, produce or distribute.

• Controlled Substance
  Drugs and certain other chemicals, both narcotic and non-narcotic, which come under the jurisdiction of federal and state laws regulating their manufacture, sale, distribution, use and disposal.
  

• 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.
  

• 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

• Creatine
  A white crystalline nitrogenous substance C4H9N3O2 found especially in the muscles of vertebrates either free or as phosphocreatine.

• 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.

• 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.
  

• Cutoff Level
  The defined concentration of a substance in a specimen at or above which the test is called positive and below which it is called negative. This concentration is usually significantly greater than the sensitivity of the assay.
  

• 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 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 Rape Drug
  See GHB

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• Designer Drugs
  Designer drugs are made by underground chemists in order to create street drugs that are not specifically listed as controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration. A designer drug is made by changing the molecular structure of an existing drug or drugs to create a new substance. An example is Ecstasy. The street names vary. Because unlicensed and untrained amateurs create them, these drugs can be extremely dangerous. In many cases, these forms are more dangerous and potent than the original drug. Designer drugs derived from the pharmaceutical drug fentanyl have been associated with hundreds of deaths in the United States.
  

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

• Dilute Specimen
  A specimen with creatine and specific gravity values that are lower than expected for human urine.
  

• Dilution
  Adding a dilutant (water) to a specimen is the most common form of alteration. The collection process, along with the need to keep the dilutant at body temperature, has greatly reduced this practice. All SAMHSA-certified laboratories test specific gravity and creatinine levels for evidence of dilution.
  

• 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.
  

• 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 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.

• 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.

• 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.
  

• DOT Drug Test
  The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 requires drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries. DOT publishes rules on who must conduct drug and alcohol tests, how to conduct those tests and what procedures to use when testing. These regulations cover all transportation employers, safety-sensitive transportation employees and service agents -roughly 12.1 million people. Encompassed in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40, the Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) publishes, implements and provides authoritative interpretations of these rules.

• Downers
  See Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines.

• 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.
  

• Drug Schedules
  Federal drug statutes establish schedules of controlled substances, defining and classifying illegal drugs. The Attorney General has the authority to delete, add, or re-schedule substances according to certain criteria. State schedules refer to, or are based upon, federal schedules. Drugs included on these schedules are referred to as "Controlled Dangerous Substances" (CDSs).
  

• Drug Testing
  Any test administered to detect the presence of drugs, esp. from a blood or urine sample and esp. for illegal substances.
  

• 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.

• Ecstasy
  See MDMA

• 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.

• EMIT Test
  Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique is the most common test performed when doing a drug urinalysis.

• 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.
  

• 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

• 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.
  

• Gas Chromatography
  A process in which the specimen is vaporized and injected into a stream of carrier gas (as nitrogen or helium) moving through a column containing a stationary phase composed of a liquid or particulate solid and is separated into its component compounds.
  

• GC/MS Confirmation
  Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is a quick method to analyze mixtures of vapours. Gas Chromatography sorts the individual molecules. Mass spectroscopy is then used to identify each type of molecule on the basis of weight.
  

• 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."
  

• Heroin
  See Opiates

• 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.
  

• Immunoassay
  A rapid and accurate test that uses antibodies embedded on test strips to reveal drug use. Antibodies react only in the presence of very specific substances - in this case, drugs present in urine. When a sufficient concentration of a drug (or drugs) are present, the test strip will indicate which substances have been detected. A control band on each strip confirms that the test was done correctly.
  

• Incendiary
  One who intentionally set fires. Arsonist.
  

• Incorrigible
  One who is incapable of reform.
  

• 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.
  

• Interference
  The effect that a compound (or group of compounds) has on the accuracy of test measurement.
  

• Intoxicates, Intoxication
  Reduction of physical or mental capabilities caused by the ingestion of an intoxicating substance such as alcohol or drugs.
  

• 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.
  

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

• Ketamine
  Ketamine - a general anesthetic and tranquilizer (not a barbiturate) that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly; used mainly by veterinarians or for minor surgery with geriatric or pediatric patients; taken in large doses it causes hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of PCP.
  

• 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.

• Liquid Ecstasy
  See GHB
  

• 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
  

• Mass Spectrometry
  An instrumental method used in conjunction with Gas Chromatography that provides accurate information about the molecular mass and structure of complex molecules. This technique can identify and quantify extremely small amounts of drugs or metabolites by their mass-fragment spectrum.
  

• 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.
  

• MDMA
  methylenedioxymethamphetamine - a stimulant drug that is chemically related to mescaline and amphetamine and is used illicitly for its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects; it was formerly used in psychotherapy but in 1985 it was declared illegal in the United States; "MDMA is often used at parties because it enables party-goers to remain active for long periods of time."
  

• Metabolite
  A compound produced from the chemical changes of a drug in the body.
  

• Methadone Treatment Program
  A program for opiate addicts, usually conducted in an outpatient setting. These programs use a long-acting synthetic opiate medication, usually methadone or LAAM, administered orally for a sustained period at a dosage sufficient to prevent opiate withdrawal, block the effects of illicit opiate use, and decrease opiate craving. Pregnant women who are addicted to opiates can also be safely treated with methadone. Using the most effective dose of methadone does not increase the baby's symptoms of withdrawal. People who are stabilized on adequate, sustained dosages of methadone or LAAM can function normally. They can hold jobs, avoid the crime and violence of the street culture, and reduce their exposure to HIV by stopping or decreasing injection drug use and drug-related high-risk sexual behavior. Patients stabilized on opiate agonists can engage more readily in counseling and other behavioral interventions essential to recovery and rehabilitation. The best, most effective programs include individual and/or group counseling, as well as provision of, or referral to, other needed medical, psychological, and social services. Also known as agonist maintenance treatment or opiate agonist maintenance.
  

• Methaqualone
  Nonbarbiturate sedative/hypnotic that produces sleep for about 6 to 8 hours. It also produces muscular relaxation, feelings of contentment, and total passivity.
  

• 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.
  

• Negative Test Result
  A test result which states that no drug or metabolite is present or no drug or metabolite is present in an amount greater the cutoff concentration.
  

• 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.