Dictionary of Law
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

charge :: legal definition


Charge - n. 1) in a criminal case, the specific statement of what crime the party is accused (charged with) contained in the indictment or criminal complaint. 2) in jury trials, the oral instructions by the judge to the jurors just before the jury begins deliberations. This charge is based on jury instructions submitted by attorneys on both sides and agreed upon by the trial judge. 3) a fee for services.


Related Law Terms

Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
commutation :: n. the act of reducing a criminal sentence resulti ... See also: executive clemency pardon
constitutional rights :: n. rights given or reserved to the people by the U ... e also: Bill of Rights constitution
directed verdict :: n. a verdict by a jury based on the specific direc ... element judgment jury trial verdict
fact :: n. an actual thing or happening, which must be pro ... dge if he/she sits without a jury).
felony murder doctrine :: n. a rule of criminal statutes that any death whic ... arged with murder. See also: murder
finding :: n. the determination of a factual question vital ( ... e case. See also: conclusion of law
Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing
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
hung jury :: n. slang for a hopelessly deadlocked jury in a cri ... also: dismissal jury mistrial trial
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
juror :: n. any person who actually serves on a jury. Lists ... : Grand Jury jury jury panel venire
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
jury trial :: n. a trial of a lawsuit or criminal prosecution in ... the final judgment. See also: jury
mistrial :: n. the termination of a trial before its normal co ... from the beginning. See also: trial
motion for a new trial :: n. a request made by the loser for the case to be ... hstanding the verdict motion N.O.V.
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
not guilty by reason of insanity :: n. plea in court of a person charged with a crime ... fense not guilty temporary insanity
open court :: n. the conduct of judicial proceedings (trials, he ... which are usually held in chambers.
peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire
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
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
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
verdict :: n. the decision of a jury after a trial, which mus ... nt quotient verdict special verdict

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 - C

C.I.F. :: n. the total of cost, insurance and freight charge ... aid on goods purchased and shipped.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
calendar call :: n. the hearing at which a case is set for trial. ... g at which a case is set for trial.
call :: n. the demand by a corporation that a stockholder ... assessment on shares already owned.
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
cancel :: v. to cross out, annul, destroy, void and/or resci ... g, so that it cannot be used again.
cancellation :: cancel ... cancel
caning :: n. a punishment for crimes employed in certain Asi ... last century in the United States.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cap :: n. slang for maximum, as the most interest that ca ... "adjustable rate" promissory note.
capital :: 1) n. from Latin for caput, meaning "head," the ba ... count capital assets stock in trade
capital account :: n. the record which lists all basic assets of a bu ... or the alleged value of good will.
capital assets :: n. equipment, property, and funds owned by a busin ... . See also: capital capital account
capital expenditure :: n. payment by a business for basic assets such as ... y intended to improve productivity.
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
capital investment :: capital expenditure ... capital expenditure
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
capital punishment :: n. execution (death) for a capital offense. The U. ... or death. See also: capital offense
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
capitalization :: n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and ... for conversion into capital assets.