Court Reporter Practice Exam

What is meant by "corpus delecti" in legal terms?

1. body of evidence

2. body of the crime

3. body of the law

4. body of witness statements

The correct answer is: body of the crime

"Corpus delecti" is a Latin term that translates to "body of the crime." This legal concept refers to the essential elements that must be proven to establish that a crime has actually occurred. In essence, it is not just about the physical evidence but includes proof that a crime took place and, typically, the identity of the victim. For instance, in a homicide case, the corpus delecti would entail demonstrable evidence of death and the circumstances surrounding it. Without establishing the corpus delecti, a prosecution may struggle to prove that a crime was committed, regardless of any confessions or witness statements presented. The other choices, while related to legal concepts, do not accurately reflect the specific meaning of corpus delecti. They refer to different aspects of legal terminology and evidence, which are important for understanding legal proceedings but do not capture the essence of what corpus delecti signifies in the context of criminal law.