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
Founded: 162
statutory rape :: n. sexual intercourse with a female below the lega ... majority minority molestation rape
date rape :: n. forcible sexual intercourse by a male acquainta ... physical resistance. See also: rape
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
carnal knowledge :: n. from Latin carnalis for "fleshly:" sexual inter ... tate. See also: rape statutory rape
implied consent :: n. consent when surrounding circumstances exist wh ... aybe" or "later." See also: implied
drop dead date :: n. a provision in a contract or a court order whic ... ng property or entering a judgment.
liquidated damages :: n. an amount of money agreed upon by both parties ... airness. See also: contract damages
writ of mandate :: (mandamus) n. a court order to a government agency ... al acts. See also: mandamus mandate
peremptory writ of mandate :: (or mandamus) n. a final order of a court to any g ... ve writ. See also: mandamus mandate
postdated check :: n. a check delivered now with a written date in th ... livery of a bad check was criminal.
mandate :: n. 1) any mandatory order or requirement under sta ... See also: mandamus writ of mandate
seduction :: n. the use of charm, salesmanship, promises, gifts ... ry breach of promise date rape rape
malum in se :: (mal-uhm in say) adv. Latin referring to an act th ... hibitum. See also: malum prohibitum
molestation :: n. the crime of sexual acts with children up to th ... of rape. See also: pedophilia rape
pedophilia :: n. an obsession with children as sex objects. Over ... also: molestation pornography rape
second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder
let :: v. 1) to allow or permit. This is distinguished fr ... rson. See also: lease rent sublease
pimp :: n. a person who procures a prostitute for customer ... also: pander panderer prostitution
murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed.
assumption of risk :: n. 1) taking a chance in a potentially dangerous s ... d be damaged or prove unprofitable.
liquidate :: v. to sell the assets of a business, paying bills ... other investors. See also: wind up
back-to-back life sentences :: n. slang for consecutive life terms imposed by a j ... ther 25 years for a parole hearing.
boycott :: n. organized refusal to purchase products or patro ... e laws. See also: secondary boycott
indictable offense :: n. a crime (offense) for which a Grand Jury rules ... o commit them. See also: indictment
duress :: n. the use of force, false imprisonment or threats ... pardoned by President Jimmy Carter.
sex offender :: n. generic term for all persons convicted of crime ... pornography rape sexual harassment
kidnapping :: (also spelled kidnaping) n. the taking of a person ... but now applies to adults as well.
first degree murder :: n. although it varies from state to state, it is g ... aughter murder second degree murder
statutory offer of settlement :: n. a written offer of a specific sum of money made ... ly awarded to the prevailing party.
youthful offenders :: n. under-age people accused of crimes who are proc ... alty. See also: juvenile delinquent
sodomy :: n. anal copulation by a man inserting his penis in ... tiality). See also: bestiality rape
special circumstances :: n. in criminal cases, particularly homicides, acti ... urant. See also: capital punishment
three strikes, you're out :: n. recent (beginning 1994) legislation enacted in ... ich involve small amounts of money.
stock certificate :: n. printed document which states the name, incorpo ... . See also: corporation share stock
status conference :: n. a pre-trial meeting of attorneys before a judge ... g a trial date. See also: discovery
star chamber proceedings :: n. any judicial or quasi-judicial action, trial or ... ate 1960s. See also: kangaroo court
standing :: n. the right to file a lawsuit or file a petition ... so: actual controversy jurisdiction
strike :: 1) v. to remove a statement from the record of the ... ing the business, factory or store.
title report :: n. the written analysis of the status of title to ... lso: abstract title title insurance
treasury bill :: n. a promissory note issued in multiples of $10,00 ... e also: treasury bond treasury note
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
spot zoning :: n. a provision in a general plan which benefits a ... . See also: grandfathered in zoning
title search :: n. the examination of county records for the prope ... e escrow lien title title insurance
time is of the essence :: n. a phrase often used in contracts which in effec ... g the agreement. See also: contract
succession :: n. the statutory rules of inheritance of a dead pe ... istribution." See also: inheritance
running at large :: adj. 1) referring to cattle or other animals which ... om an entire city, county or state.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
reversal :: n. the decision of a court of appeal ruling that t ... e of damages is ordered to dismiss.
Restatement of the Law :: n. a series of detailed statements of the basic la ... tracts, property, torts and trusts.
reprieve :: n. a temporary delay in imposition of the death pe ... commutation of sentence or pardon.
seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today.
wrongful termination :: n. a right of an employee to sue his/her employer ... ing an employee's grounds for suit.
Shepardize :: n. a method of locating reports of appeals decisio ... m prior case law. See also: reports
void for vagueness :: adj. referring to a statute defining a crime which ... o the states by the 14th Amendment.
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
theft :: n. the generic term for all crimes in which a pers ... rglary embezzlement larceny robbery
show cause order :: n. an order of the court, also called an order to ... hild. See also: order to show cause
white collar crime :: n. a generic term for crimes involving commercial ... committed by "blue collar" workers.
reports :: n. the published decisions of appeals courts in al ... ilable in almost all law libraries.
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
discharge :: v. 1) to perform one's duties. 2) to dismiss someo ... d not be paid. See also: bankruptcy
easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation.
case law :: n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other ... es. See also: case system precedent
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
act :: 1) n. in general, any action by a person. 2) n. a ... ct on your motion for a new trial."
adverse possession :: n. a means to acquire title to land through obviou ... o: possession prescriptive easement
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
attorney's fee :: n. the payment for legal services. It can take sev ... ees in the particular type of case.
executive order :: n. a President's or Governor's declaration which h ... the Congress or state legislature.
extraordinary fees :: n. attorneys' fees claimed, usually in the adminis ... n. See also: attorney's fee probate
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
wind up :: v. to liquidate (sell or dispose of) assets of a c ... r partnership. See also: winding up
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
waiver :: n. the intentional and voluntary giving up of some ... ssed on the record. See also: waive
positive law :: n. statutory man-made law, as compared to "natural ... 651). See also: natural law statute
occupy the field :: v. to preempt (monopolize) an area of statutory la ... ertain topics. See also: preemption
harassment :: (either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act ... See also: harass sexual harassment
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
malum prohibitum :: (mal-uhm prohibit-uhm) adj. Latin meaning "wrong d ... lso: malum in se white collar crime
may :: v. a choice to act or not, or a promise of a possi ... sion or regulation. See also: shall
waive :: v. to voluntarily give up something, including not ... the other state). See also: waiver
public domain :: n. 1) in copyright law, the right of anyone to use ... al governments. See also: copyright
endorse (indorse) :: v. 1) to sign one's name to the back of a check, b ... or candidate. See also: endorsement
endorsement :: (indorsement)n. 1) the act of the owner or payee s ... te. See also: negotiable instrument
enter a judgment :: v. to officially record a judgment on the "judgmen ... ounced. See also: entry of judgment
emotional distress :: n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of da ... ar value upon it. See also: damages
earnest payment :: n. a deposit paid to demonstrate commitment and to ... (liquidated) or committed damages.
defamation :: n. the act of making untrue statements about anoth ... comment libel public figure slander
disability :: n. 1) a condition which prevents one from performi ... ct, or being insane or incompetent.
due :: n. and adj. owed as of a specific date. A popular ... ecessarily mean that a debt is due.
escrow :: 1) n. a form of account held by an "escrow agent" ... w the deal." See also: escrow agent
extension :: n. granting of a specific amount of extra time to ... he original expiration of the term.
grantor-grantee index :: n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found ... ument in tracking a chain of title.
holographic will :: n. a will entirely handwritten, dated and signed b ... lost in the desert. See also: will
illegal immigrant :: n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the Unit ... ion date of a visa. See also: alien
future interest :: n. a right to receive either real property or pers ... maturity (age 18) or upon marriage.
foreclosure :: n. the system by which a party who has loaned mone ... ced sale mortgage notice of default
extinguishment :: n. the cancellation or destruction of a right, qui ... urther money or performance is due.
extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
cumulative voting :: n. in corporations, a system of voting by sharehol ... eholders with 1,001 or more shares.
boiler room :: n. a telephone bank operation in which fast-talkin ... and in violation of security laws.
bond :: n. 1) written evidence of debt issued by a company ... good up to the amount of the bond.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
bill of sale :: n. a written statement attesting to the transfer ( ... ther provisions. See also: contract
advancement :: n. a gift made by a person to one of his or her ch ... tate gift in contemplation of death
acceptance of service :: n. agreement by a defendant (or his/her attorney) ... o accept service. See also: service
account stated :: n. a statement between a creditor or the person to ... ending on the state. See also: debt
addendum :: n. an addition to a completed written document. Mo ... proposals or included fraudulently.
cite :: v. 1) to make reference to a decision in another c ... police officer). See also: citation
civil calendar :: n. the list of lawsuits (cases) that are approachi ... y sent to trial. See also: calendar
contract :: 1) n. an agreement with specific terms between two ... n oral contract unilateral contract
copyright :: 1) n. the exclusive right of the author or creator ... plagiarism public domain trademark
criminal calendar :: n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour ... e plea preliminary hearing sentence
continuance :: n. a postponement of a date of a trial, hearing or ... continuances to discourage delays.
condominium :: n. title to a unit of real property which, in real ... ium projects. See also: common area
claim against an estate :: n. upon the death of a person and beginning of pro ... ade to the heirs. See also: probate
codicil :: n. a written amendment to a person's will, which m ... the writer. See also: probate will
indeterminate sentence :: n. the prison term imposed after conviction for a ... w in the future. See also: sentence
installment contract :: n. an agreement in which payments of money, delive ... n contract failure of consideration
order to show cause :: n. a judge's written mandate that a party appear i ... vernmental agency. See also: O.S.C.
overcharge :: v. 1) to charge more than a posted or advertised p ... osecutor to intimidate the accused.
owe :: v. to have a legal duty to pay funds to another. H ... arrived. See also: debt due payable
order :: 1) n. every direction or mandate of a judge or a c ... defendant. See also: judge judgment
on or before :: prep. a phrase usually found in a contract or prom ... ich may be done prior to that date.
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
on demand :: adj. in a promissory note, a requirement that the ... demand note." See also: demand note
on or about :: prep. a phrase referring to a date or place used i ... reets:." See also: charge complaint
payable :: 1) adj. referring to a debt which is due. A debt m ... liabilities (debts) of a business.
peremptory :: adj. absolute, final and not entitled to delay or ... allenges or a date set for hearing.
abuse of process :: n. the use of legal process by illegal, malicious, ... ly correct the error and apologize.
race to the courthouse :: n. slang for the rule that the first deed, deed of ... e also: deed judgment lien mortgage
recess :: n. a break in a trial or other court proceedings o ... t," which winds up the proceedings.
prostitute :: n. a person who receives payment for sexual interc ... also: pander panderer prostitution
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
pleading :: n. 1) every legal document filed in a lawsuit, pet ... nswer complaint demurrer plea plead
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
prohibition :: n. forbidding an act or activity. A court order fo ... icial. See also: injunction mandate
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
legatee :: n. a person or organization receiving a gift of an ... eficiary devise devisee legacy will
limited liability :: n. the maximum amount a person participating in a ... ted damages partnership shareholder
long cause :: n. a lawsuit in which it is estimated that a trial ... dar call court calendar short cause
law book :: n. any of numerous volumes dealing with law, inclu ... : common law law Shepardize statute
jury fees :: n. the rather minimal amount paid each day to juro ... ees as a court cost. See also: jury
inter vivos trust :: n. a trust created by a writing (declaration of tr ... nter vivos testamentary trust trust
invest :: v. to put money into a business or buy property or ... mplete gamble. See also: investment
jurat :: (jur-at) n. Latin for "been sworn," the portion of ... wledgment declaration notary public
mail box rule :: n. in contract law, making a written offer or acce ... nse in hand when the time runs out.
mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate
negative pregnant :: n. a denial of an allegation in which a person act ... suse, just the amount and the date.
nominee :: n. 1) a person or entity who is requested or named ... ic office. See also: agent executor
note :: n. a promissory note, a written statement of debt ... the note. See also: promissory note
multiplicity of suits :: n. several actual or potential lawsuits which shou ... e can order the cases consolidated.
motion :: n. a formal request made to a judge for an order o ... g, an oral motion may be permitted.
material witness :: n. a person who apparently has information about t ... e. See also: material trial witness
maturity :: n. 1) the date when the payment of the principal a ... exchange legal age promissory note
record :: 1) v. (ree-cored) to put a document into the offic ... eeding race to the courthouse trial