Prior(S) Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Prior(S), written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Prior(S)?

refers to the previous or past criminal involvements and records, convictions and acquittals of the defendant in criminal cases. It is a slang for the same. The previous verdicts on the same person/defendant is of importance to derive the nature of person he /she is.

History and Meaning of Prior(S)

Prior(s) refers to a defendant's previous criminal record or involvement. It is a slang term used to describe past convictions, acquittals, and other legal proceedings that a defendant has been involved in. The prior(s) of a defendant can play a significant role in court proceedings, as they are used to deduce patterns of behavior, criminal tendencies, and the nature of the person being tried.

Examples of Prior(S)

  1. The prosecutor presented the defendant's prior(s) to the court to argue that he had a pattern of violent behavior.
  2. The defense team argued that the prior(s) presented by the prosecution were irrelevant to the current case and should not be considered.
  3. The judge agreed to consider the defendant's prior(s) in determining the sentence for the current conviction.
  4. The defendant's prior(s) were sealed due to being obtained when he was a juvenile and could not be used in court.
  5. The defense team argued that the prosecution was using a minor prior offense from years ago to unfairly prejudice the jury.

Legal Terms Similar to Prior(S)

  1. Criminal record - a record of a person's past criminal acts, including prior convictions and arrests.
  2. Recidivism - the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend and return to criminal behavior.
  3. Habitual offender - a person who has been convicted of multiple offenses and is presumed likely to reoffend.
  4. Aggravating circumstances - factors that make a crime more severe, such as a defendant's prior(s) or the use of a weapon.
  5. Mitigating circumstances - factors that make a crime less severe, such as a defendant's lack of prior record or a mental illness.