Dictionary of Law
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examination :: legal definition


Examination - n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. Direct examination is interrogation by the attorney who called the witness, and cross-examination is questioning by the opposing attorney. A principal difference is that an attorney putting questions to his own witness cannot ask "leading" questions, which put words in the mouth of the witness or suggest the answer, while on cross-examination he/she can pose a question that seems to contain an answer or suggest language for the witness to use or agree to. 2) in bankruptcy, the questions asked of a debtor by the judge, trustee in bankruptcy, attorneys or even creditors, to determine the state of the debtor's affairs. 3) in criminal law, a preliminary examination is a hearing before a judge or other magistrate to determine whether a defendant charged with a felony should be held for trial. Usually this is held by a lower court and if there is any substantial evidence to show a felony has been committed by the defendant he/she is bound over to the appropriate court for trial, but otherwise the charge will be dismissed by the judge.

See also: bankruptcy cross-examination direct examination testimony witness and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay.
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
admit :: v. 1) to state something is true in answering a co ... tted." See also: admission evidence
adverse witness :: n. a witness in a trial who is found by the judge ... r the opposition. See also: witness
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
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.
arbitrator :: n. one who conducts an arbitration, and serves as ... he other two. See also: arbitration
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
attorney :: n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an ... ialize. See also: court reciprocity
attorney of record :: n. the attorney who has appeared in court and/or s ... eve have long since been completed.
attorney-client privilege :: n. the requirement that an attorney may not reveal ... ivileged communication work product
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bankruptcy court :: n. the specialized federal court in which bankrupt ... : bankruptcy bankruptcy proceedings
bankruptcy proceedings :: n. the bankruptcy procedure is: a) filing a petiti ... ankruptcy court claim in bankruptcy
bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney
bias :: n. the predisposition of a judge, arbitrator, pros ... ire. See also: hometowned voir dire
bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation
brief :: 1) n. a written legal argument, usually in a forma ... another person. See also: precedent
burden of proof :: n. the requirement that the plaintiff (the party b ... ence prima facie weight of evidence
challenge :: n. the right of each attorney in a jury trial to r ... ess. See also: peremptory challenge
circuit courts :: n. a movable court in which the judge holds court ... alled the Circuit Courts of Appeal.
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.
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
compound question :: n. the combination of more than one question into ... rate questions. See also: objection
conclusion of law :: n. a judge's final decision on a question of law w ... aw if requested. See also: judgment
confession :: n. the statement of one charged with a crime that ... Miranda warning self-incrimination
confrontation :: n. 1) fight or argument. 2) the right of a crimina ... s. See also: Bill of Rights witness
contempt of court :: n. there are essentially two types of contempt: a) ... roduce evidence. See also: sanction
continuing objection :: n. an objection to certain questions or testimony ... ional distress. See also: objection
counterclaim :: n. a retaliatory claim by a defendant against a pl ... d. See also: answer cross-complaint
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-martial :: 1) n. a military court for trying offenses in viol ... the U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
creditor's claim :: n. a claim required to be filed in writing, in a p ... e also: claim in bankruptcy probate
cross-complaint :: n. after a complaint has been filed against a defe ... g prayer service of process summons
cross-examination :: n. the opportunity for the attorney (or an unrepre ... examination testimony trial witness
cumis counsel :: n. an attorney employed by a defendant in a lawsui ... fendant be approved by the company.
day in court :: n. popular term for everyone's opportunity to brin ... rt to protest his speeding ticket."
debtor in possession :: n. in bankruptcy proceedings when a debtor has fil ... n possession." See also: bankruptcy
declaratory judgment :: n. a judgment of a court which determines the righ ... ys it. See also: declaratory relief
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
denial :: n. a statement in the defendant's answer to a comp ... ative defense answer general denial
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
directed verdict :: n. a verdict by a jury based on the specific direc ... element judgment jury trial verdict
disbar :: v. to remove an attorney from the list of practici ... legal ethics. (See moral turpitude
evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant
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
execution :: n. 1) the act of getting an officer of the court t ... so: death penalty writ of execution
federal courts :: n. the court system which handles civil and crimin ... rans' appeals. See also: bankruptcy
federal question :: n. one basis for filing a lawsuit in federal distr ... ves the federal court jurisdiction.
felony murder doctrine :: n. a rule of criminal statutes that any death whic ... arged with murder. See also: murder
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
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
forum non conveniens :: (for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) n. Latin for a fo ... most convenient location for trial.
garnish :: v. to obtain a court order directing a party holdi ... ed. See also: garnishee garnishment
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
general denial :: n. a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim ... anguage. See also: answer complaint
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.
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
hostile witness :: n. technically an "adverse witness" in a trial who ... so: adverse witness leading witness
impeach :: v. 1) to discredit the testimony of a witness by p ... ve been found guilty by the Senate.
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
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
irrelevant :: adj. not important, pertinent, or germane to the m ... ce immaterial incompetent objection
jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
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 :: 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
juvenile court :: n. a special court or department of a trial court ... See also: court juvenile delinquent
leading :: 1) v. short for "leading the witness," in which th ... tness leading the witness objection
leading question :: n. a question asked of a witness by an attorney du ... e also: cross-examination objection
leading the witness :: n. asking a question during a trial or deposition ... n hostile witness leading objection
lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best.
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
motion for dismissal :: (non-suit) n. application by a defendant in a laws ... otion for nonsuit. See also: motion
motion to strike :: n. a request for a judge's order to eliminate all ... be unrung." See also: motion strike
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party
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
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
offer of proof :: n. an explanation made by an attorney to a judge d ... rial irrelevant objection testimony
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
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
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
pleading :: n. 1) every legal document filed in a lawsuit, pet ... nswer complaint demurrer plea plead
political question :: n. the determination by a court (particularly the ... ne-vote," as constitutional issues.
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.
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
pro tem :: 1) adj. short for the Latin pro tempore, temporari ... as "Sam Collins is Pro Tem today."
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
public defender :: n. an elected or appointed public official (usuall ... to convicted indigents for appeals.
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
remand :: v. to send back. An appeals court may remand a cas ... ee also: appeal preliminary hearing
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
self-serving :: adj. referring to a question asked of a party to a ... ng declaration. See also: objection
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
specific finding :: n. a decision on a fact made by a jury in its verd ... so forth. See also: special verdict
speedy trial :: n. in criminal prosecutions, the right of a defend ... hurt by the waiver. See also: trial
strike :: 1) v. to remove a statement from the record of the ... ing the business, factory or store.
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
suspended sentence :: n. in criminal law, a penalty applied by a judge t ... may be enforced. See also: sentence
sustain :: v. in trial practice, for a judge to agree that an ... /she will "overrule" the objection.
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
time served :: n. the period a criminal defendant has been in jai ... o the defendant. See also: sentence
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
verdict :: n. the decision of a jury after a trial, which mus ... nt quotient verdict special verdict
vexatious litigation :: n. filing a lawsuit with the knowledge that it has ... lous malicious prosecution sanction
voir dire :: (vwahr [with a near-silent "r"] deer) n. from Fren ... t witness jury peremptory challenge
voluntary bankruptcy :: n. the filing for bankruptcy by a debtor who belie ... kruptcy court. See also: bankruptcy
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
witness stand :: n. a chair at the end of the judge's bench on the ... estimony clearly. See also: witness

Popular Law Searches

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forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
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Other Law Terms - E

earnest payment :: n. a deposit paid to demonstrate commitment and to ... (liquidated) or committed damages.
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
egress :: n. way of departure. A word usually used in conjun ... unction with "access" or "ingress."
EIR :: n. popular acronym for environmental impact report ... e also: environmental impact report
ejectment :: n. a lawsuit brought to remove a party who is occu ... o the property through her parents.
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
elder law :: n. a specialty in legal practice, covering estate ... t field. (definition revised: 9/02)
election of remedies :: n. an outmoded requirement that if a plaintiff (pa ... dence has not been fully presented.
election under the will :: n. in those states which have statutes which give ... arries) left to her under his will.
eleemosynary :: (eh-luh-moss-uh-nary) adj. charitable, as applied ... pplied to a purpose or institution.
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
embezzlement :: n. the crime of stealing the funds or property of ... in trust. See also: embezzler theft
embezzler :: n. a person who commits the crime of embezzlement ... r property of an employer or trust.
emblements :: n. crops to which a tenant who cultivated the land ... ome the property of his/her estate.
emergency :: n. a sudden, unforeseen happening which requires a ... r to protect lives and/or property.
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
emolument :: n. salary, wages and benefits paid for employment ... d for employment or an office held.
emotional distress :: n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of da ... ar value upon it. See also: damages
employee :: n. a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee o ... ondeat superior scope of employment