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Dictionary of Law |
arrest :: legal definitionArrest - v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with legal authority, as by a law enforcement officer. An arrest may be made legally based on a warrant issued by a court after receiving a sworn statement of probable cause to believe there has been a crime committed by this person, for an apparent crime committed in the presence of the arresting officer, or upon probable cause to believe a crime has been committed by that person. Once the arrest has been made, the officer must give the arrestee his/her rights ("Miranda rights") at the first practical moment, and either cite the person to appear in court or bring him/her in to jail. A person arrested must be brought before a judge for arraignment in a short time (e.g. within two business days), and have his/her bail set. A private "security guard" cannot actually arrest someone except by citizen's arrest, but can hold someone briefly until a law officer is summoned. A "citizen's arrest" can be made by any person when a crime has been committed in his/her presence. However, such self-help arrests can lead to lawsuits for "false arrest" if proved to be mistaken, unjustified or involving unnecessary holding. 2) to delay the enforcement of a judgment by a judge while errors in the record are corrected. See also: arrest warrant false arrest Miranda warning probable cause warrant and Related Law Terms ↓ Related Law Termsabeyance :: 1) n. when the owner- ship of property has not bee ... 2) legal jargon for "undetermined."abortion :: n. the termination of pregnancy by various means, ... ed abortion continue in the future. abuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay. acceptance of service :: n. agreement by a defendant (or his/her attorney) ... o accept service. See also: service accomplice :: n. someone who assists in the commission of a crim ... cipal criminal. See also: accessory actual controversy :: n. a true legal dispute which leads to a genuine l ... al outcome. See also: friendly suit 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 of guilt :: n. a statement by someone accused of a crime that ... ssion guilty Miranda warning rights adverse witness :: n. a witness in a trial who is found by the judge ... r the opposition. See also: witness 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 appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal." arbitrator :: n. one who conducts an arbitration, and serves as ... he other two. See also: arbitration arrest warrant :: n. a judge's order to law enforcement officers to ... ommitted a crime. See also: warrant 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 Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General attorney-client privilege :: n. the requirement that an attorney may not reveal ... ivileged communication work product authorities :: n. 1) previous decisions by courts of appeal which ... also: brief cite decision precedent bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance 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 bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney bench warrant :: n. a warrant issued by a judge, often to command s ... appear in court. See also: warrant bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation 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 burglary :: n. the crime of breaking and entering into a struc ... le. See also: breaking and entering canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection. case law :: n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other ... es. See also: case system precedent challenge for cause :: n. a request that a prospective juror be dismissed ... remptory challenge venire voir dire child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody circuit courts :: n. a movable court in which the judge holds court ... alled the Circuit Courts of Appeal. 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 rights :: n. those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, ... ill of Rights civil civil liberties claim :: 1) v. to make a demand for money, for property, or ... the government, it is lawsuit time. clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense clerk :: n. 1) an official or employee who handles the busi ... stocking shelves, or counter sales. color of law :: n. the appearance of an act being performed based ... xtort payoffs to forget the ticket. comity :: n. when one court defers to the jurisdiction of an ... of cases to which comity may apply. common-law marriage :: n. an agreement between a man and woman to live to ... a marriage. See also: cohabitation comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence 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 concealed weapon :: n. a weapon, particularly a handgun, which is kept ... ions, arrests or improper activity. conclusion of fact :: n. in a trial, the final result of an analysis of ... quested. See also: finding judgment conclusion of law :: n. a judge's final decision on a question of law w ... aw if requested. See also: judgment concurrent sentences :: n. sentences for more than one crime which are to ... ith the longest period controlling. 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. conflict of law :: n. a situation in which both state and federal law ... y arose. See also: forum preemption conservatee :: n. a person whom a court has determined because of ... and the like. See also: conservator conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian constable :: n. a law officer for a particular area such as a r ... ice of the Peace. See also: sheriff 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 contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence 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 of equity :: n. originally in English common law and in several ... also: chancery court of law equity court of law :: n. any tribunal within a judicial system. Under En ... aw. See also: chancery court equity court-martial :: 1) n. a military court for trying offenses in viol ... the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. dangerous weapon :: n. any gun, knife, sword, crossbow, slingshot or o ... igence and possibly win a judgment. declaration of mailing :: n. a form stating that a particular document has b ... other party. See also: declaration declaratory judgment :: n. a judgment of a court which determines the righ ... ys it. See also: declaratory relief 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 dictum :: n. Latin for "remark," a comment by a judge in a d ... cta)." See also: dicta obiter dicta discrimination :: n. unequal treatment of persons, for a reason whic ... qual rights. See also: civil rights disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages dismiss :: v. the ruling by a judge that all or a portion (on ... nst that party. See also: dismissal double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier. dower :: n. an old English common law right of a widow to o ... t and distribution widow's election 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. 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 equitable estoppel :: n. where a court will not grant a judgment or othe ... also: clean hands doctrine estoppel 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 estoppel :: n. a bar or impediment (obstruction) which preclud ... pel equitable estoppel estop laches ex post facto :: adj. Latin for "after the fact," which refers to l ... ted before the new law was adopted. examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness exclusionary rule :: n. the rule that evidence secured by illegal means ... e poisonous tree motion to suppress 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 extrinsic fraud :: n. fraudulent acts which keep a person from obtain ... it. See also: fraud intrinsic fraud false arrest :: n. physically detaining someone without the legal ... sment. See also: false imprisonment false imprisonment :: n. depriving someone of freedom of movement by hol ... for damages. See also: false arrest final settlement :: n. an agreement reached by the parties to a lawsui ... rneys present. See also: settlement finding :: n. the determination of a factual question vital ( ... e case. See also: conclusion of law first impression :: adj. referring to a legal issue which has never be ... s for both sides to assist him/her. fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud fresh pursuit :: n. immediate chase of a suspected criminal by a la ... hot pursuit. See also: hot pursuit friendly suit :: n. a lawsuit filed in order to obtain a court orde ... eement in which there was an error. fruit of the poisonous tree :: n. in criminal law, the doctrine that evidence dis ... property. See also: Miranda warning garnish :: v. to obtain a court order directing a party holdi ... ed. See also: garnishee garnishment 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 guest :: n. 1) in general, a person paying to stay in a hot ... ce. See also: guest statute invitee 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 hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene. hostile witness :: n. technically an "adverse witness" in a trial who ... so: adverse witness leading witness impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction incompetency :: n. the condition of lacking the ability to handle ... and/or represented by an attorney. incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock 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 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 insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing international law :: n. treaties between countries; multi-lateral agree ... all nations. See also: World Court invasion of privacy :: n. the intrusion into the personal life of another ... randeis. See also: right to privacy joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate judge advocate :: n. a military officer with legal training who has ... ourt-martial judge advocate general judge advocate general :: (J.A.G.) n. a military officer who advises the gov ... also: court-martial judge advocate jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue jury fees :: n. the rather minimal amount paid each day to juro ... ees as a court cost. See also: jury 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 laches :: n. the legal doctrine that a legal right or claim ... , breach of contract, fraud, etc.). last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence 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 lawsuit :: n. a common term for a legal action by one person ... See also: case cause of action suit legal advertising :: n. 1) notices of probate sales and other documents ... quality of the lawyers advertising. legal aid society :: n. an organization formed to assist persons who ha ... bar association. See also: pro bono legal separation :: n. a court-decreed right to live apart, with the r ... n is rarely used. See also: divorce liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property. lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best. litigious :: adj. referring to a person who constantly brings o ... e called "professional plaintiffs." long cause :: n. a lawsuit in which it is estimated that a trial ... dar call court calendar short cause long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant. magistrate :: n. 1) a generic term for any judge of a court, or ... ce of the peace preliminary hearing Magna Carta :: n. Latin for "Great Charter," it was a document de ... s. It is also spelled Magna Charta. 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. martial law :: n. a system of complete control by a country's mil ... n and women. See also: military law merger :: n. 1) in corporate law, the joining together of tw ... and taking one, and wife the other. 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 moot court :: n. law school exercise in which students argue bot ... fferent law schools. See also: moot 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 negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort 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 nominee :: n. 1) a person or entity who is requested or named ... ic office. See also: agent executor 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 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 nuisance :: n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful u ... evening). See also: public nuisance 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 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 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 order to show cause :: n. a judge's written mandate that a party appear i ... vernmental agency. See also: O.S.C. overrule :: v. 1) to reject an attorney's objection to a quest ... : appellate court objection sustain own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R. pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve perjury :: n. the crime of intentionally lying after being du ... ly made a mistake or misunderstood. plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing pleading :: n. 1) every legal document filed in a lawsuit, pet ... nswer complaint demurrer plea plead possession :: n. 1) any article, object, asset or property which ... ctive possession. See also: possess precedent :: 1) n. a prior reported opinion of an appeals court ... to perform. See also: stare decisis preliminary hearing :: n. in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a pe ... nment charge Grand Jury information presiding judge :: n. 1) in both state and federal appeals court, the ... and chairs meetings of the judges. presumption :: n. a rule of law which permits a court to assume a ... resumption at all, but a certainty. prime suspect :: n. the one person law enforcement officers believe ... in trial. See also: Miranda warning principal :: n. 1) main person in a business. 2) employer, the ... ry agency agent respondeat superior privileges and immunities :: n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre ... t impinge on constitutional rights. probable cause :: n. sufficient reason based upon known facts to bel ... of Rights search search and seizure 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 promissory estoppel :: n. a false statement treated as a promise by a cou ... lue of his work. See also: estoppel promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury proper party :: n. a person or entity who has an interest (financi ... lf. See also: necessary party party question of fact :: n. in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, an issue ... also: finding judge question of law question of law :: n. an issue arising in a lawsuit or criminal prose ... udge question of fact trier of fact real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion reasonable doubt :: n. not being sure of a criminal defendant's guilt ... also: preponderance of the evidence 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 renunciation :: n. 1) giving up a right, such as a right of inheri ... renunciation is factually too late. resisting arrest :: n. the crime of using physical force (no matter ho ... referred to merely as "resisting." Restatement of the Law :: n. a series of detailed statements of the basic la ... tracts, property, torts and trusts. resulting trust :: n. a trust implied by law (as determined by a cour ... See also: constructive trust trust retroactive :: adj. referring to a court's decision or a statute ... ospective." See also: ex post facto right to privacy :: n. the possible right to be let alone, in absence ... e also: invasion of privacy privacy rights :: n. 1) plural of right, which is the collection of ... evidence. See also: Miranda warning riot :: n. 1) technically a turbulent and violent disturba ... to unlawful possession of firearms. ripe :: adj. in constitutional law, referring to a law cas ... or more issues raised by the case. roadside test :: n. a preliminary test law enforcement officers use ... g while intoxicated Miranda warning rogatory letters :: n. a written request by a judge to a judge in anot ... also: deposition testimony witness rule :: 1) v. to decide a legal question, by a court, as i ... ee also: regulations rules of court sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court search :: v. 1) to examine another's premises (including a v ... e search and seizure search warrant search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure self-executing :: adj. immediately effective without further action, ... party the right to try to collect. sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process 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 short cause :: n. a lawsuit which is estimated by the parties (us ... l be reset later as a "long cause." 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 state action :: n. in federal Civil Rights Acts, dating back to 18 ... for damages. See also: civil rights state of domicile :: n. the state in which a person has his/her permane ... orated. See also: domicile resident statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll stop and frisk :: n. a law enforcement officer's search for a weapon ... h search and seizure search warrant strike :: 1) v. to remove a statement from the record of the ... ing the business, factory or store. subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness substantive law :: n. law which establishes principles and creates an ... are conducted. See also: procedure 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 summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ supremacy clause :: n. Article VI, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, ... f involving a constitutional issue. tenancy in common :: n. title to property (usually real property, but i ... on. See also: joint tenancy tenancy theft :: n. the generic term for all crimes in which a pers ... rglary embezzlement larceny robbery tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time. trust :: n. an entity created to hold assets for the benefi ... testamentary trust trustee trustor unlawful detainer :: n. 1) keeping possession of real property without ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice unreasonable search and seizure :: n. search of an individual or his/her premises (in ... e probable cause search and seizure voir dire :: (vwahr [with a near-silent "r"] deer) n. from Fren ... t witness jury peremptory challenge waiver :: n. the intentional and voluntary giving up of some ... ssed on the record. See also: waive 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 wiretap :: n. using an electronic device to listen in on tele ... invasion of privacy probable cause withdrawal :: n. 1) in criminal law, leaving a conspiracy to com ... count. See also: check renunciation wrongful termination :: n. a right of an employee to sue his/her employer ... ing an employee's grounds for suit. youthful offenders :: n. under-age people accused of crimes who are proc ... alty. See also: juvenile delinquent 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 |