Dictionary of Law
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excessive bail :: legal definition


Excessive bail - n. an amount of bail ordered posted by an accused defendant which is much more than necessary or usual to assure he/she will make court appearances, particularly in relation to minor crimes. If excessive bail is claimed, the defendant can make a motion for reduction of bail, and if it is not granted, he/she can then apply directly to a court of appeal for reduction.

See also: bail and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay.
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
appearance :: n. the act of a party or an attorney showing up in ... neral appearance special appearance
attachment :: n. the seizing of money or property prior to getti ... bond. See also: writ of attachment
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
bail bond :: n. a bond provided by an insurance company through ... urned. See also: bail bail bondsman
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
burden of proof :: n. the requirement that the plaintiff (the party b ... ence prima facie weight of evidence
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
competent :: adj. 1) in general, able to act in the circumstanc ... all bases. See also: evidence will
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
confession :: n. the statement of one charged with a crime that ... Miranda warning self-incrimination
day in court :: n. popular term for everyone's opportunity to brin ... rt to protest his speeding ticket."
default judgment :: n. if a defendant in a lawsuit fails to respond to ... See also: complaint default summons
examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness
excusable neglect :: n. a legitimate excuse for the failure of a party ... See also: default default judgment
forum non conveniens :: (for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) n. Latin for a fo ... most convenient location for trial.
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction.
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
indispensable party :: n. a person or entity which must be included in a ... tion to join Olivia as a defendant.
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
information and belief :: n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complai ... nswer complaint declaration perjury
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman
juvenile court :: n. a special court or department of a trial court ... See also: court juvenile delinquent
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
motion for dismissal :: (non-suit) n. application by a defendant in a laws ... otion for nonsuit. See also: motion
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party
not guilty by reason of insanity :: n. plea in court of a person charged with a crime ... fense not guilty temporary insanity
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
plaintiff :: n. the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a c ... lso: complaint defendant petitioner
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
preliminary hearing :: n. in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a pe ... nment charge Grand Jury information
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
release on one's own recognizance :: v. for a judge to allow a criminal defendant pre-t ... ourtroom slang. See also: bail O.R.
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - E

earnest payment :: n. a deposit paid to demonstrate commitment and to ... (liquidated) or committed damages.
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
egress :: n. way of departure. A word usually used in conjun ... unction with "access" or "ingress."
EIR :: n. popular acronym for environmental impact report ... e also: environmental impact report
ejectment :: n. a lawsuit brought to remove a party who is occu ... o the property through her parents.
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
elder law :: n. a specialty in legal practice, covering estate ... t field. (definition revised: 9/02)
election of remedies :: n. an outmoded requirement that if a plaintiff (pa ... dence has not been fully presented.
election under the will :: n. in those states which have statutes which give ... arries) left to her under his will.
eleemosynary :: (eh-luh-moss-uh-nary) adj. charitable, as applied ... pplied to a purpose or institution.
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
embezzlement :: n. the crime of stealing the funds or property of ... in trust. See also: embezzler theft
embezzler :: n. a person who commits the crime of embezzlement ... r property of an employer or trust.
emblements :: n. crops to which a tenant who cultivated the land ... ome the property of his/her estate.
emergency :: n. a sudden, unforeseen happening which requires a ... r to protect lives and/or property.
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
emolument :: n. salary, wages and benefits paid for employment ... d for employment or an office held.
emotional distress :: n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of da ... ar value upon it. See also: damages
employee :: n. a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee o ... ondeat superior scope of employment