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Dictionary of Law |
Attorney General :: legal definitionAttorney General - n. in each state and the federal government the highest ranking legal officer of the government. The federal Attorney General is chief of the Department of Justice appointed by the President with confirmation required by the Senate, and a member of the Cabinet. He or she is in charge of federal prosecutions (including overseeing the numerous regional U.S. Attorneys), and numerous cases and matters in which the federal government has a legal interest, particularly when the federal government is a party or federal regulations are at issue. The Attorney General also has oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement operations of the Justice Department. Although elected, state Attorneys General have similar functions within their states, although the supervision of local prosecutions is seldom exercised unless there is some gross mismanagement. Different legislatures have assigned varying functions to the state departments of justice, including consumer protection, environmental law, supervision of trusts and non-profit corporations, and other issues in which the state government may have a particular interest in protecting the citizenry. See also: Solicitor General and Related Law Terms ↓ Related Law Termsacceptance of service :: n. agreement by a defendant (or his/her attorney) ... o accept service. See also: serviceacknowledgment :: n. the section at the end of a document where a no ... me leases and various other papers. administrative law :: n. the procedures created by administrative agenci ... judge Administrative Procedure Act admiralty :: n. concerning activities which occur at sea, inclu ... "proctors." See also: maritime law adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt adultery :: n. consensual sexual relations when one of the par ... s and grist for scandal newspapers. advisory opinion :: n. an opinion stated by a judge or a court upon th ... o: actual controversy friendly suit American Bar Association :: n. the largest organization of American lawyers, w ... go, IL 60611; tel.: (312) 988-5522. answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification antitrust laws :: n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict ... so: price fixing restraint of trade appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal." appearance :: n. the act of a party or an attorney showing up in ... neral appearance special appearance approach the bench :: v. an attorney's movement from the counsel table t ... ake a recess to go to the restroom. arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant attorney :: n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an ... ialize. See also: court reciprocity attorney-client privilege :: n. the requirement that an attorney may not reveal ... ivileged communication work product attorney's fee :: n. the payment for legal services. It can take sev ... ees in the particular type of case. bank :: n. 1) an officially chartered institution empowere ... erred to as "in bank" or "en banc." bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney benefit of counsel :: n. having the opportunity to have an attorney and ... attorney is the person's own fault. Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people. brief :: 1) n. a written legal argument, usually in a forma ... another person. See also: precedent cartel :: n. 1) an arrangement among supposedly independent ... Colombia. See also: antitrust laws case system :: n. the method of studying law generally used in Am ... Langdell and soon became standard. Chief Justice :: n. the presiding judge of any State Supreme Court ... nks of existing Associate Justices. child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody citation :: n. 1) a notice to appear in court due to the proba ... se is not in point." See also: cite civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights civil law :: n. 1) a body of laws and legal concepts which come ... generic term for non-criminal law. civil procedure :: n. the complex and often confusing body of rules a ... l civil action civil code civil law civil rights :: n. those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, ... ill of Rights civil civil liberties claim against a governmental agency :: n. any time one believes he/she has a right to pay ... orter than other types of lawsuits. clerk :: n. 1) an official or employee who handles the busi ... stocking shelves, or counter sales. comity :: n. when one court defers to the jurisdiction of an ... of cases to which comity may apply. common law :: n. the traditional unwritten law of England, based ... plied without reference to statute. community property :: n. property and profits received by a husband and ... and distribution separate property complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons conflict of law :: n. a situation in which both state and federal law ... y arose. See also: forum preemption constitution :: n. the fundamental, underlying document which esta ... ts common law constitutional rights constitutional rights :: n. rights given or reserved to the people by the U ... e also: Bill of Rights constitution constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive consumer protection laws :: n. almost all states and the federal government ha ... rranty product liability securities contempt of court :: n. there are essentially two types of contempt: a) ... roduce evidence. See also: sanction contingent fee :: n. a fee to a lawyer which will be due and payable ... epend on the outcome are unethical. continuing objection :: n. an objection to certain questions or testimony ... ional distress. See also: objection controlling law :: n. the laws of the state which will be relied upon ... will be that of a particular state. 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-martial :: 1) n. a military court for trying offenses in viol ... the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. criminal calendar :: n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour ... e plea preliminary hearing sentence cross-complaint :: n. after a complaint has been filed against a defe ... g prayer service of process summons damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages dedication :: n. the giving of land by a private person or entit ... perty. See also: quiet title action demurrer :: n. (dee-muhr-ur) a written response to a complaint ... demurrer. See also: motion pleading descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession disbar :: v. to remove an attorney from the list of practici ... legal ethics. (See moral turpitude discrimination :: n. unequal treatment of persons, for a reason whic ... qual rights. See also: civil rights District Attorney (D.A.) :: n. an elected official of a county or a designated ... dent and serve at his/her pleasure. diversity of citizenship :: n. when opposing parties in a lawsuit are citizens ... unt in controversy exceeds $10,000. due process of law :: n. a fundamental principle of fairness in all lega ... procedural and substantive rights. ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation. eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation entrapment :: n. in criminal law, the act of law enforcement off ... e drugs if not pressed by the narc? environmental law :: n. a body of state and federal statutes intended t ... imental effects on the environment. equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law equity :: n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t ... ry enjoin equitable injunction writ estate tax :: n. generally a federal tax on the transfer of a de ... commonly called an inheritance tax. evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice fair trade laws :: n. state laws which permit manufacturers or produc ... state constitutions in many states. file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case. fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud fugitive from justice :: n. a person convicted or accused of a crime who hi ... extradition. See also: extradition general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance general partner :: n. 1) usually one of the owners and operators of a ... ted partnership partner partnership grandfather clause :: n. 1) a clause in a statute or zoning ordinance (p ... Such laws are now unconstitutional. guest statute :: n. a state law which sets standards of care by the ... sked to be let out. See also: guest habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction. harassment :: (either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act ... See also: harass sexual harassment home rule :: n. the power of a local city or county to set up i ... state funds for local improvements. immunity :: n. exemption from penalties, payments or legal req ... ws. See also: governmental immunity in propria persona :: adj. from Latin "for one's self," acting on one's ... client and an ass for an attorney." in terrorem clause :: (in tehr-roar-em)n. from Latin for "in fear," a pr ... e gift. See also: will will contest incest :: n. sexual intercourse between close blood relative ... ily genes carrying such weaknesses. incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock insurance :: n. a contract (insurance policy) in which the insu ... t clause Workers' Compensation Acts interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing interstate commerce :: n. commercial trade, business, movement of goods o ... and the I.C.C. may soon be history. irrelevant :: adj. not important, pertinent, or germane to the m ... ce immaterial incompetent objection issue :: 1) n. a person's children or other lineal descenda ... the body incorporation share stock joinder of issue :: n. that point in a lawsuit when the defendant has ... matters are to be decided by trial. Jones Act :: n., adj. a federal law which covers injuries to cr ... ." See also: admiralty maritime law judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate 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 justice :: n. 1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or ... e appellate courts. See also: court justice of the peace :: (JP) n. a judge who handles minor legal matters su ... ersons to qualify by taking a test. law :: n. 1) any system of regulations to govern the cond ... um maritime law natural law statute law book :: n. any of numerous volumes dealing with law, inclu ... : common law law Shepardize statute legal advertising :: n. 1) notices of probate sales and other documents ... quality of the lawyers advertising. legal age :: n. the age at which a person is responsible for hi ... so: infancy juvenile court minority libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best. literary property :: n. the writings of an author which entitles him/he ... as copyrighted. See also: copyright living will :: n. also called "a durable power of attorney," it i ... upport. See also: power of attorney long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant. malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate Mann Act :: n. a federal statute making it a crime to transpor ... is five years in a federal prison. marriage :: n. the joining of a male and female in matrimony b ... of time without legal formalities. marshal :: 1) n. a federal court official who may serve paper ... tablish priorities among creditors. maxims :: n. a collection of legal truisms which are used as ... e and the ordinary habits of life." minority :: n. 1) in voting, a side with less than half the vo ... See also: legal age majority minor mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence nolle prosequi :: (no-lay pro-say-kwee) n. Latin for "we shall no lo ... nocent and declared nolle prosequi. non-profit corporation :: n. an organization incorporated under state laws a ... harity corporation cy pres doctrine not guilty :: n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm ... t guilty by reason of insanity plea notary public :: n. a person authorized by the state in which the p ... he state which appoints the notary. notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice object :: 1) v. to ask the court not to allow a particular q ... he contract..." See also: objection objection :: n. a lawyer's protest about the legal propriety of ... ng question object overrule sustain occupy the field :: v. to preempt (monopolize) an area of statutory la ... ertain topics. See also: preemption of counsel :: adj. reference to an attorney who is not actively ... quiring his/her full-time presence. officer of the court :: n. any person who has an obligation to promote jus ... also: attorney bailiff clerk judge partnership :: n. a business enterprise entered into for profit w ... partnership partner silent partner people :: n. the designation for the prosecuting government ... secutions, United States v. Miller. peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire police powers :: n. from the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, wh ... host of state regulatory statutes. power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction. precedent :: 1) n. a prior reported opinion of an appeals court ... to perform. See also: stare decisis preemption :: n. the rule of law that if the federal government ... cs control may parallel each other. privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege privileges and immunities :: n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre ... t impinge on constitutional rights. pro tem :: 1) adj. short for the Latin pro tempore, temporari ... as "Sam Collins is Pro Tem today." probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will procedure :: n. the methods and mechanics of the legal process. ... cases are tried and judgments made. promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence property :: n. anything that is owned by a person or entity. P ... rty real property separate property prosecute :: v. 1) in criminal law, to charge a person with a c ... rney General prosecution prosecutor prosecution :: n. 1) in criminal law, the government attorney cha ... se). See also: prosecute prosecutor prosecutor :: n. generic term for the government's attorney in a ... ee also: Attorney General prosecute prospectus :: n. a detailed statement by a corporation required ... rporation limited partnership stock public defender :: n. an elected or appointed public official (usuall ... to convicted indigents for appeals. qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors. quiet title action :: n. a lawsuit to establish a party's title to real ... opposition. See also: notice title rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape record :: 1) v. (ree-cored) to put a document into the offic ... eeding race to the courthouse trial regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures. reports :: n. the published decisions of appeals courts in al ... ilable in almost all law libraries. Restatement of the Law :: n. a series of detailed statements of the basic la ... tracts, property, torts and trusts. retroactive :: adj. referring to a court's decision or a statute ... ospective." See also: ex post facto robbery :: n. 1) the direct taking of property (including mon ... We've been robbed." See also: theft sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence separate property :: n. in community property states (California, Texas ... pouse. See also: community property sheriff :: n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u ... ." See also: bailiff sheriff's sale shield laws :: n. statutes enacted in some states which declare t ... See also: privileged communication sodomy :: n. anal copulation by a man inserting his penis in ... tiality). See also: bestiality rape Solicitor General :: n. the chief trial attorney in the federal Departm ... Attorney General in the Department. speaking demurrer :: n. an attempt to introduce evidence during a heari ... the operation." See also: demurrer special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance special prosecutor :: n. an attorney from outside of the government sele ... Robert Bork finally discharged Cox. standing :: n. the right to file a lawsuit or file a petition ... so: actual controversy jurisdiction statute :: n. a federal or state written law enacted by the C ... and proclamations are not statutes. statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll summary adjudication of issues :: n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue ... is made. See also: summary judgment summary judgment :: n. a court order ruling that no factual issues rem ... tion summary adjudication of issues supremacy clause :: n. Article VI, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, ... f involving a constitutional issue. Supreme Court :: n. 1) the highest court in the United States, whic ... rt in other states. See also: court tax :: n. a governmental assessment (charge) upon propert ... unified estate and gift tax use tax toll :: v. 1) to delay, suspend or hold off the effect of ... bridge or take passage on a ferry. tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death tort claims act :: n. a federal or state act which, under certain con ... . See also: Federal Tort Claims Act treason :: n. the crime of betraying one's country, defined i ... nment. See also: espionage sedition trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time. variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens vexatious litigation :: n. filing a lawsuit with the knowledge that it has ... lous malicious prosecution sanction will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator Popular Law Searcheslegal 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 - Aa fortiori :: (ah-for-she-ory) prep. Latin for "with even strong ... rother Cain certainly is too young.a priori assumption :: (ah-pree-ory) n. from Latin, an assumption that is ... when the reality is not so certain. a.k.a. :: prep. abbreviation for "also known as" when someon ... nodgrass, a.k.a. "Snuffy the Snod." ab initio :: prep. lawyer Latin for "from the start," as "it wa ... tart," as "it was legal ab initio." abandon :: v. to intentionally and permanently give up, surre ... lso: abandoned property abandonment abandoned property :: n. property left behind (often by a tenant) intent ... -use. See also: abandon abandonment abandonment :: n. the act of intentionally and permanently giving ... : abandon abandoned property patent abate :: v. to do away with a problem, such as a public or ... ty septic tank. See also: abatement abatement :: n. 1) the removal of a problem which is against pu ... eneficiary in full. See also: abate abduction :: n. the criminal taking away of a person by persuas ... g of children. See also: kidnapping abet :: v. to help someone commit a crime, including helpi ... n the crime. See also: aid and abet abeyance :: 1) n. when the owner- ship of property has not bee ... 2) legal jargon for "undetermined." able-bodied :: adj. physically capable of working at a job or in ... of paying alimony or child support. abortion :: n. the termination of pregnancy by various means, ... ed abortion continue in the future. abrogate :: v. to annul or repeal a law or pass legislation th ... ons of a contract. See also: repeal abscond :: v. 1) traditionally to leave a jurisdiction (where ... as in "he absconded with the loot." absolute :: adj. complete, and without condition. ... j. complete, and without condition. abstention doctrine :: n. when the Supreme Court refuses to exercise its ... being appealed from a state court. abstract :: n. in general, a summary of a record or document, ... tract of judgment abstract of title abstract of judgment :: n. a written summary of a judgment which states ho ... aying the debt. See also: levy lien |