Dictionary of Law
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transcript :: legal definition


Transcript - n. the written record of all proceedings, including testimony, in a trial, hearing or deposition (out-of-court testimony under oath). Jurisdictions vary as to whether the attorneys' final arguments are recorded, with the Federal Court Reporter Act, but not all states, requiring inclusion. A copy of the transcript may be ordered from the court reporter and a fee paid for the transcription and first copy; if the opposing party also wants a copy, the cost will not include the transcription fee. In most appeals a copy of the transcript is required so that the court of appeals can review the entire proceedings in the trial court. Copies of depositions may be ordered for a fee from the court reporter who took down the testimony. Transcripts are not printed from the record unless transcription is requested.


Related Law Terms

abstract of title :: n. the written report on a title search which show ... e also: chain of title title report
abuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay.
adequate remedy :: n. a remedy (money or performance) awarded by a co ... es it, giving cause for his arrest.
administrator :: n. the person appointed by the court to handle the ... e also: administer executor probate
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
alimony :: n. support paid by one ex-spouse to the other as o ... ild support divorce spousal support
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
appellate court :: n. a court of appeals which hears appeals from low ... court of appeals. See also: appeal
arbitration :: n. a mini-trial, which may be for a lawsuit ready ... tance of the arbitrator's decision.
attachment :: n. the seizing of money or property prior to getti ... bond. See also: writ of attachment
attorney of record :: n. the attorney who has appeared in court and/or s ... eve have long since been completed.
attorney's fee :: n. the payment for legal services. It can take sev ... ees in the particular type of case.
bailiff :: n. 1) a court official, usually a deputy sheriff, ... isdictional territory of a bailiff.
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bankruptcy proceedings :: n. the bankruptcy procedure is: a) filing a petiti ... ankruptcy court claim in bankruptcy
bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
case law :: n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other ... es. See also: case system precedent
citation :: n. 1) a notice to appear in court due to the proba ... se is not in point." See also: cite
competent :: adj. 1) in general, able to act in the circumstanc ... all bases. See also: evidence will
constitutional rights :: n. rights given or reserved to the people by the U ... e also: Bill of Rights constitution
contempt of court :: n. there are essentially two types of contempt: a) ... roduce evidence. See also: sanction
copyright :: 1) n. the exclusive right of the author or creator ... plagiarism public domain trademark
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
court costs :: n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to at ... ee also: cost bill prevailing party
court of appeals :: n. any court (state or federal) which hears appeal ... eals courts. See also: appeal court
Court of Customs and Patent Appeals :: n. a federal court established (1929) to hear appe ... lso: Customs Court patent trademark
Customs Court :: n. a federal court established (1926) to hear appe ... Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
direct examination :: n. the first questioning of a witness during a tri ... nation deposition testimony witness
discovery :: n. the entire efforts of a party to a lawsuit and ... ee also: deposition interrogatories
dismissal :: n. 1) the act of voluntarily terminating a crimina ... f the settlement. See also: dismiss
dissent :: n. 1) the opinion of a judge of a court of appeals ... sagreement with prevailing thought.
enjoin :: v. for a court to order that someone either do a s ... so: injunction temporary injunction
equity :: n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t ... ry enjoin equitable injunction writ
error :: n. a mistake by a judge in procedure or in substan ... or. See also: harmless error remand
evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant
execute :: v. 1) to finish, complete or perform as required, ... ishment contract executed execution
expert testimony :: n. opinions stated during trial or deposition (tes ... inal case. See also: expert witness
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
first impression :: adj. referring to a legal issue which has never be ... s for both sides to assist him/her.
friendly suit :: n. a lawsuit filed in order to obtain a court orde ... eement in which there was an error.
gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
garnish :: v. to obtain a court order directing a party holdi ... ed. See also: garnishee garnishment
harmless error :: n. an error by a judge in the conduct of a trial w ... ar to be harmless." See also: error
hearing :: n. any proceeding before a judge or other magistra ... e hearing preliminary hearing trial
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene.
incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock
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
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
insufficient evidence :: n. a finding (decision) by a trial judge or an app ... l court. See also: evidence finding
insurance :: n. a contract (insurance policy) in which the insu ... t clause Workers' Compensation Acts
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title
judicial sale :: n. a sale of goods by an official (keeper, trustee ... o be sold. See also: sheriff's sale
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
jury fees :: n. the rather minimal amount paid each day to juro ... ees as a court cost. See also: jury
lien :: n. any official claim or charge against property o ... ord's lien mechanic's lien mortgage
lis pendens :: (lease pen-dense) n. Latin for "a suit pending," a ... ob can be penalized by court order.
long cause :: n. a lawsuit in which it is estimated that a trial ... dar call court calendar short cause
lower court :: n. 1) any court of lesser rank, such as municipal ... ruled Defendant had no basis for:."
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
mandate :: n. 1) any mandatory order or requirement under sta ... See also: mandamus writ of mandate
marshal :: 1) n. a federal court official who may serve paper ... tablish priorities among creditors.
matter of record :: n. anything, including testimony, evidence, ruling ... cussions not written down or taped.
minutes :: n. 1) the written record of meetings, particularly ... court reporter if recorded at all.
modification :: n. a change in an existing court order or judgment ... terms of child support and custody.
motion :: n. a formal request made to a judge for an order o ... g, an oral motion may be permitted.
motion for a new trial :: n. a request made by the loser for the case to be ... hstanding the verdict motion N.O.V.
nisi prius :: : (nee-see pree-us) adj. Latin for "unless first," ... : original jurisdiction trial court
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
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
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
officer of the court :: n. any person who has an obligation to promote jus ... also: attorney bailiff clerk judge
open court :: n. the conduct of judicial proceedings (trials, he ... which are usually held in chambers.
opinion :: n. the explanation of a court's judgment. When a t ... which the author is not specified.
order :: 1) n. every direction or mandate of a judge or a c ... defendant. See also: judge judgment
overrule :: v. 1) to reject an attorney's objection to a quest ... : appellate court objection sustain
peremptory writ of mandate :: (or mandamus) n. a final order of a court to any g ... ve writ. See also: mandamus mandate
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
plain error :: n. a mistake by the trial court found by a court o ... ire reversal of the trial decision.
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
prevailing party :: n. the winner in a lawsuit. Many contracts, leases ... ed before or after trial has begun.
pro hac vice :: : (proh hock vee-chay) prep. Latin for "this time ... association with a local attorney.
probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
public record :: n. any information, minutes, files, accounts or ot ... l judgment are both public records.
quiet title action :: n. a lawsuit to establish a party's title to real ... opposition. See also: notice title
record :: 1) v. (ree-cored) to put a document into the offic ... eeding race to the courthouse trial
remand :: v. to send back. An appeals court may remand a cas ... ee also: appeal preliminary hearing
remedy :: n. the means to achieve justice in any matter in w ... gment provisional remedy settlement
remittitur :: n. 1) a judge's order reducing a judgment awarded ... party on appeal). See also: remand
reply brief :: n. the written legal argument of the respondent (t ... ee also: appeal appellee respondent
reports :: n. the published decisions of appeals courts in al ... ilable in almost all law libraries.
respondent :: n. 1) the party who is required to answer a petiti ... "appellant") in the appeals court.
reversal :: n. the decision of a court of appeal ruling that t ... e of damages is ordered to dismiss.
review :: n. the judicial consideration of a lower court jud ... ate court reversal reversible error
rogatory letters :: n. a written request by a judge to a judge in anot ... also: deposition testimony witness
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
sealing of records :: n. trial records and decisions which a judge order ... eep the terms from public scrutiny.
security deposit :: n. a payment required by a landlord from a tenant ... lso: landlord and tenant lease rent
service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service
set aside :: v. to annul or negate a court order or judgment by ... "set aside" the original dismissal.
settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle
Shepardize :: n. a method of locating reports of appeals decisio ... m prior case law. See also: reports
shortening time :: n. an order of the court in response to the motion ... e notice is served within 24 hours.
small claims court :: n. a division of most municipal, city or other low ... od example of a small claims court.
star chamber proceedings :: n. any judicial or quasi-judicial action, trial or ... ate 1960s. See also: kangaroo court
stare decisis :: : (stah-ree duh-sigh-sis) n. Latin for "to stand b ... pellate court lower court precedent
status conference :: n. a pre-trial meeting of attorneys before a judge ... g a trial date. See also: discovery
subpena :: (subpoena): (suh-pea-nah) n. an order of the court ... ubpena duces tecum subpoena witness
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
supersedeas :: (sooh-purr-said-ee-uhs) Latin for "you shall desis ... . See also: appeal court of appeals
Supreme Court :: n. 1) the highest court in the United States, whic ... rt in other states. See also: court
Tax Court :: n. a federal agency with courts in major cities wh ... Appeals. See also: court income tax
temporary injunction :: n. a court order prohibiting an action by a party ... ry injunction. See also: injunction
testify :: v. to give oral evidence under oath in answer to q ... deposition evidence testimony trial
testimony :: n. oral evidence given under oath by a witness in ... tion evidence testify trial witness
title report :: n. the written analysis of the status of title to ... lso: abstract title title insurance
title search :: n. the examination of county records for the prope ... e escrow lien title title insurance
trial court :: n. the court which holds the original trial, as di ... a court of appeals. See also: trial
trial de novo :: n. a form of appeal in which the appeals court hol ... from small claims court judgments.
warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will
writ of coram nobis :: : (writ of core-uhm noh-bis) n. from Latin for "in ... ment if known at the time of trial.

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 - T

T.R.O. :: n. legal slang for temporary restraining order. Se ... order. See also: restraining order
tainted evidence :: n. in a criminal trial, information which has been ... e search and seizure search warrant
take :: v. to gain or obtain possession, including the rec ... eal property or stealing an object.
taking the Fifth :: n. the refusal to testify on the ground that the t ... ifth." See also: self-incrimination
tangible property :: n. physical articles (things) as distinguished fro ... operty personal property personalty
tax :: n. a governmental assessment (charge) upon propert ... unified estate and gift tax use tax
tax costs :: n. a motion to contest a claim for court costs sub ... sts" to avoid paying these charges.
Tax Court :: n. a federal agency with courts in major cities wh ... Appeals. See also: court income tax
tax evasion :: n. intentional and fraudulent attempt to escape pa ... o reduce the amount of payable tax.
tax return :: n. the form to be filed with a taxing authority by ... able to the taxpayer. See also: tax
tax sale :: n. an auction sale of a taxpayer's property conduc ... government to collect unpaid taxes.
temporary injunction :: n. a court order prohibiting an action by a party ... ry injunction. See also: injunction
temporary insanity :: n. in a criminal prosecution, a defense by the acc ... diminished capacity insanity intent
tenancy :: n. the right to occupy real property permanently, ... rety tenancy in common tenant title
tenancy at sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
tenancy at will :: n. occupation of real property owned by another un ... right to occupy. See also: tenancy
tenancy by the entirety :: n. joint ownership of title by husband and wife, i ... ee also: community property tenancy
tenancy in common :: n. title to property (usually real property, but i ... on. See also: joint tenancy tenancy
tenant :: n. a person who occupies real property owned by an ... rental payments. See also: tenancy
tender :: 1) v. to present to another person an unconditiona ... he tender. See also: delivery offer