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Dictionary of Law |
jump bail :: legal definitionJump bail - v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after depositing (posting) bail with the intention of avoiding prosecution, sentencing or going to jail. Posting bail guarantees that the accused person will give up the money if he/she does not show up in court. It allows the accused person to remain free pending the final decision on his/her criminal case. In some circumstances a criminal defendant can be declared to have jumped bail even before missing an appearance in court, if it is discovered he/she has left the state, the country, disappeared or made plans to flee. At that point the court can revoke the bail and issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest. It is also called "skipping" bail. See also: bail bail bond bail bondsman and Related Law Terms ↓ Related Law Termsabuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay.acknowledgment :: n. the section at the end of a document where a no ... me leases and various other papers. ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem 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 after-acquired property :: n. 1) personal or real property acquired by a debt ... lso: bankruptcy secured transaction answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority appearance :: n. the act of a party or an attorney showing up in ... neral appearance special appearance arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant attachment :: n. the seizing of money or property prior to getti ... bond. See also: writ of attachment attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed. attorney :: n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an ... ialize. See also: court reciprocity 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 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 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 care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless character witness :: n. a person who testifies in a trial on behalf of ... ases and civil cases such as fraud. 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 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 confess :: v. in criminal law, to voluntarily state that one ... Miranda warning self-incrimination confession :: n. the statement of one charged with a crime that ... Miranda warning self-incrimination conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer. conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian criminal calendar :: n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour ... e plea preliminary hearing sentence day in court :: n. popular term for everyone's opportunity to brin ... rt to protest his speeding ticket." declaration of mailing :: n. a form stating that a particular document has b ... other party. See also: declaration default judgment :: n. if a defendant in a lawsuit fails to respond to ... See also: complaint default summons defense attorney :: n. 1) the attorney representing the defendant in a ... lso: defendant plaintiff's attorney diminished capacity :: n. essentially a psychological term which has foun ... See also: insanity M'Naughten rule dismissal :: n. 1) the act of voluntarily terminating a crimina ... f the settlement. See also: dismiss diversion :: n. in criminal procedure, a system for giving a ch ... second offense. See also: probation double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier. equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness excessive bail :: n. an amount of bail ordered posted by an accused ... ppeal for reduction. See also: bail excusable neglect :: n. a legitimate excuse for the failure of a party ... See also: default default judgment extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice fictitious defendants :: n. when a party suing (plaintiff) is not sure if h ... are not permitted in federal cases. 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 Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward 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 incompetency :: n. the condition of lacking the ability to handle ... and/or represented by an attorney. incriminate :: v. to make a statement in which one admits that he ... d to information which would be so. indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing indigent :: 1) n. a person so poor and needy that he/she canno ... person who is very poor and needy. 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 insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy intoxication :: n. 1) the condition of being drunk as the result o ... r. See also: vehicular manslaughter joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint justice :: n. 1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or ... e appellate courts. See also: court juvenile court :: n. a special court or department of a trial court ... See also: court juvenile delinquent kidnapping :: (also spelled kidnaping) n. the taking of a person ... but now applies to adults as well. legal aid society :: n. an organization formed to assist persons who ha ... bar association. See also: pro bono liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence magistrate :: n. 1) a generic term for any judge of a court, or ... ce of the peace preliminary hearing Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights M'Naughten rule :: n. a traditional "right and wrong" test of legal i ... temporary insanity Twinkie defense municipal court :: n. a lower court which usually tries criminal misd ... nd/or small claims. See also: court no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party not guilty :: n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm ... t guilty by reason of insanity plea 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. obscene :: adj., adv. a highly subjective reference to materi ... en I see it." See also: pornography offender :: n. an accused defendant in a criminal case or one ... crime. See also: accused defendant officer of the court :: n. any person who has an obligation to promote jus ... also: attorney bailiff clerk judge own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R. parole :: n. 1) the release of a convicted criminal defendan ... sed he will not take up arms again. party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent personal services :: n. in contract law, the talents of a person which ... his/her unique ability and product. 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 plea bargain :: n. in criminal procedure, a negotiation between th ... the ban. See also: cop a plea plea preliminary hearing :: n. in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a pe ... nment charge Grand Jury information principal :: n. 1) main person in a business. 2) employer, the ... ry agency agent respondeat superior 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. process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence quasi-criminal :: adj. a reference to a court's right to punish for ... defendant. See also: criminal quasi release on one's own recognizance :: v. for a judge to allow a criminal defendant pre-t ... ourtroom slang. See also: bail O.R. 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 retroactive :: adj. referring to a court's decision or a statute ... ospective." See also: ex post facto rights :: n. 1) plural of right, which is the collection of ... evidence. See also: Miranda warning self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service sound mind and memory :: n. having an understanding of one's actions and re ... ee also: competent incompetent will special administrator :: n. a person appointed by the court in a probate pr ... or administrator. See also: probate special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance speedy trial :: n. in criminal prosecutions, the right of a defend ... hurt by the waiver. See also: trial subpena :: (subpoena): (suh-pea-nah) n. an order of the court ... ubpena duces tecum subpoena witness subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ temporary insanity :: n. in a criminal prosecution, a defense by the acc ... diminished capacity insanity intent venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens 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 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 - JJ :: n. abbreviation for Judge, as in the Hon. William ... as in the Hon. William B. Boone, J.Jane Doe :: n. 1) a fictitious name used for a possible female ... lso: fictitious defendants John Doe jaywalking :: n. walking across a street outside of marked cross ... jury to the jaywalker by a vehicle. JD :: n. short for Juris Doctor, identifying the holder ... law degree. See also: Juris Doctor jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy jobber :: n. a merchant who buys products (usually in bulk o ... buys and acts for specific clients. John Doe :: n. 1) a fictitious name used for a possible male d ... lso: fictitious defendants Jane Doe joinder :: n. the joining together of several lawsuits or sev ... er misjoinder multiplicity of suits joinder of issue :: n. that point in a lawsuit when the defendant has ... matters are to be decided by trial. joint :: adj., adv. referring to property, rights or obliga ... ncy joint venture tenancy in common joint adventure :: n. when two or more people go together on a trip o ... e activity. See also: joint venture joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint joint custody :: n. in divorce actions, a decision by the court (of ... em. See also: child custody divorce joint enterprise :: n. a generic term for an activity of two or more p ... liability joint venture partnership joint liability :: n. when two or more persons are both responsible f ... See also: joinder joint and several joint powers agreement :: n. a contract between a city, a county and/or a sp ... istrict or other government entity. joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title joint tortfeasors :: n. two or more persons whose negligence in a singl ... : comparative negligence negligence joint venture :: n. an enterprise entered into by two or more peopl ... s terminated. See also: partnership Jones Act :: n., adj. a federal law which covers injuries to cr ... ." See also: admiralty maritime law |