CJCENTRAL: Criminal Law Today, 2E: Glossary

vagrancy
under common law, the act of going about from place to place by a person without visible means of support, who was idle, and who, though able to work for his or her maintenance, refused to do so, but lived without labor or on the charity of others.

vagrant
also, vagabond, "a wanderer; an idle person who, being able to maintain himself by lawful labor, either refuses to work or resorts to unlawful practices, e.g., begging, to gain a living."

vehicular homicide
the killing of a human being by the operation of a motor vehicle by another in a reckless manner likely to cause the death of, or great bodily harm to, another.

venue
the geographical location or place where a case can be prosecuted.

vicarious liability
the criminal liability of one party for the criminal acts of another party.

victim
any individual against whom an offense has been committed. Or, for certain procedural purposes, a parent or legal guardian if the victim is below the age of eighteen years or is incompetent. Also, one or more family members or relatives designated by the court if the victim is deceased or incapacitated.

victim impact statement
the in-court use of victim- or survivor-supplied information by sentencing authorities wishing to make an informed sentencing decision. Also, a written document which describes the losses, suffering, and trauma experienced by the crime victim or by victim's survivors. In jurisdictions where victims impact statements are used, judges are expected to consider them in arriving at an appropriate sentence for the offender.

victimless crime
an offense committed against the social values and interests represented in and protected by the criminal law, and in which parties to the offense willingly participate.

victims rights
the fundamental right of victims to be equitably represented throughout the criminal justice process.

victim/witness assistance programs
service organizations that work to provide comfort and assistance to victims of crime and to witnesses.

VOCA
an acronym for the 1984 Victims of Crime Act.

voluntary intoxication
willful intoxication; intoxication that is the result of personal choice. Voluntary intoxication includes the voluntary ingestion, injection, or taking by any other means of any intoxicating liquor, drug, or other substance.

voluntary manslaughter
the unlawful killing of a human being, without malice, which is done intentionally upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion. Also, a killing committed without lawful justification, wherein the defendant acted under a sudden and intense passion resulting from adequate provocation.

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