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: 287
intervening cause :: n. an event which occurs between the original impr ... cause negligence superseding cause
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
superseding cause :: n. the same as an "intervening cause" or "superven ... : intervening cause proximate cause
cause of action :: n. the basis of a lawsuit founded on legal grounds ... property. See also: element lawsuit
comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence
contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
direct and proximate cause :: n. the immediate reason damage was caused by an ac ... so: cause complaint proximate cause
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
cause :: from Latin causa 1) v. to make something happen. 2 ... so: cause of action proximate cause
order to show cause :: n. a judge's written mandate that a party appear i ... vernmental agency. See also: O.S.C.
gross negligence :: n. carelessness which is in reckless disregard for ... damages negligence punitive damages
long cause :: n. a lawsuit in which it is estimated that a trial ... dar call court calendar short cause
show cause order :: n. an order of the court, also called an order to ... hild. See also: order to show cause
short cause :: n. a lawsuit which is estimated by the parties (us ... l be reset later as a "long cause."
good cause :: n. a legally sufficient reason for a ruling or oth ... od cause shown, the court orders:."
negligence per se :: (purr say) n. negligence due to the violation of a ... riving. See also: negligence per se
probable cause :: n. sufficient reason based upon known facts to bel ... of Rights search search and seizure
challenge for cause :: n. a request that a prospective juror be dismissed ... remptory challenge venire voir dire
loss of use :: n. the inability to use an automobile, premises or ... ding or premises. See also: damages
count :: n. each separate statement in a complaint which st ... also: cause of action common counts
loss of bargain :: n. the inability to complete a sale or other busin ... ned in a lawsuit. See also: damages
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
subrogation :: n. assuming the legal rights of a person for whom ... also: negligence subrogee subrogor
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
loss :: n. 1) the value placed on injury or damages due to ... t and the income. See also: damages
laches :: n. the legal doctrine that a legal right or claim ... , breach of contract, fraud, etc.).
professional negligence :: n. See also: malpractice ... n. See also: malpractice
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages
specific finding :: n. a decision on a fact made by a jury in its verd ... so forth. See also: special verdict
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
dangerous weapon :: n. any gun, knife, sword, crossbow, slingshot or o ... igence and possibly win a judgment.
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant.
dangerous :: adj. unsafe, hazardous, fraught with risk. It can ... eapon's range. See also: negligence
joint tortfeasors :: n. two or more persons whose negligence in a singl ... : comparative negligence negligence
injury :: n. any harm done to a person by the acts or omissi ... nction injunctive relief negligence
dram shop rule :: n. a statute (Dram Shop Act) or case law in 38 sta ... tervening cause, namely, the drunk.
res ipsa loquitur :: (rayz ip-sah loh-quit-her) n. Latin for "the thing ... plex doctrine. See also: negligence
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).
Workers' Compensation Acts :: n. state statutes which establish liability of emp ... rs' compensation insurance company.
permanent injury :: n. physical or mental damage which will restrict t ... ges. See also: permanent disability
gravamen :: n. Latin for "to weigh down," the basic gist of ev ... o: cause of action charge complaint
impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability
restitution :: n. 1) returning to the proper owner property or th ... her a shorter sentence than normal.
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability
invitee :: n. a person who comes onto another's property, pre ... ail employees. See also: negligence
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
subrogee :: n. the person or entity that assumes the legal rig ... aid. See also: subrogation subrogor
ultrahazardous activity :: n. an action or process which is so inherently dan ... sional auto race on public streets.
unlawful assembly :: n. the act of assembling for the purpose of starti ... gton and Chicago in the late 1960s.
strike :: 1) v. to remove a statement from the record of the ... ing the business, factory or store.
subrogor :: n. a person or entity that transfers his/her/its l ... ges. See also: subrogation subrogee
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
summary judgment :: n. a court order ruling that no factual issues rem ... tion summary adjudication of issues
suppression of evidence :: n. 1) a judge's determination not to allow evidenc ... the prosecutor. See also: evidence
surcharge :: n. an additional charge of money made because it w ... for being late in making a payment.
unreasonable search and seizure :: n. search of an individual or his/her premises (in ... e probable cause search and seizure
summary adjudication of issues :: n. a court order ruling that certain factual issue ... is made. See also: summary judgment
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
subpena :: (subpoena): (suh-pea-nah) n. an order of the court ... ubpena duces tecum subpoena witness
tainted evidence :: n. in a criminal trial, information which has been ... e search and seizure search warrant
third-party beneficiary :: n. a person who is not a party to a contract but h ... tract as a third-party beneficiary.
sounds in :: adj. referring to the underlying legal basis for a ... ause of action sounds in contract."
redeem :: v. to buy back, as when an owner who had mortgaged ... so: foreclosure mortgage redemption
recuse :: v. to refuse to be a judge (or for a judge to agre ... to the defendant. See also: recusal
remedy :: n. the means to achieve justice in any matter in w ... gment provisional remedy settlement
remote :: adj., adv. extremely far off or slight. Evidence m ... ee also: immaterial proximate cause
removal :: n. 1) the change of a legal case from one court to ... a crime or successful impeachment.
reasonable :: adj., adv. in law, just, rational, appropriate, or ... ost of other actions or activities.
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
pro bono :: adj. short for pro bono publico, Latin for "for th ... cation organizations and charities.
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
quantum meruit :: : (kwahn-tuhm mare-ooh-it) n. Latin for "as much a ... uit by implying a contract existed.
Queen's Bench :: n. 1) the highest court in Great Britain during th ... include close to 50 percent women.
replevin :: n. under common law, the right to bring a lawsuit ... se of action" for all civil wrongs.
running at large :: adj. 1) referring to cattle or other animals which ... om an entire city, county or state.
service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service
service by mail :: n. mailing legal pleadings to opposing attorneys o ... attorney by mail. See also: service
several liability :: n. referring to responsibility of one party for th ... n joint and several promissory note
verdict :: n. the decision of a jury after a trial, which mus ... nt quotient verdict special verdict
spontaneous exclamation :: n. a sudden statement caused by the speaker having ... et hit the girl." See also: hearsay
service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process
seizure :: n. the taking by law enforcement officers of poten ... e search and seizure search warrant
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
search :: v. 1) to examine another's premises (including a v ... e search and seizure search warrant
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
securities :: n. generic term for shares of stock, bonds and deb ... ee also: bond debenture share stock
sedition :: n. the federal crime of advocacy of insurrection a ... e rare. See also: espionage treason
stop and frisk :: n. a law enforcement officer's search for a weapon ... h search and seizure search warrant
assumption of risk :: n. 1) taking a chance in a potentially dangerous s ... d be damaged or prove unprofitable.
peer review :: n. an examination and evaluation of the performanc ... claiming damages due to negligence.
passenger :: n. a rider who has paid a fare on a train, bus, ai ... also: common carrier guest statute
pain and suffering :: n. the physical and mental distress suffered from ... l damages special damages suffering
permanent disability :: n. an injury which impairs the physical and/or men ... t injury Workers' Compensation Acts
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion
professional corporation :: n. a corporation formed for the purpose of conduct ... rofessionals. See also: corporation
omission :: n. 1) failure to perform an act agreed to, where t ... of contract negligence reformation
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
malfeasance :: n. intentionally doing something either legally or ... sponsibility. See also: misfeasance
liable :: adj. responsible or obligated. Thus, a person or e ... al prosecution. See also: liability
legal duty :: n. the responsibility to others to act according t ... al injuries. See also: duty of care
mental anguish :: n. mental suffering which includes fright, feeling ... See also: damages mental suffering
misadventure :: n. a death due to unintentional accident without a ... me. See also: homicide manslaughter
negligent :: adj., adv. careless in not fulfilling responsibili ... esponsibility. See also: negligence
mitigation of damages :: n. the requirement that someone injured by another ... he lease) to mitigate his/her loss.
reasonable care :: n. the degree of caution and concern for the safet ... . See also: duty of care negligence
reasonable speed :: n. the speed of an automobile determined to be low ... e speed limit. See also: negligence
toll :: v. 1) to delay, suspend or hold off the effect of ... bridge or take passage on a ferry.
suffering :: n. the pain, hurt, inconvenience, embarrassment an ... njury negligence pain and suffering
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death
tort claims act :: n. a federal or state act which, under certain con ... . See also: Federal Tort Claims Act
vehicular manslaughter :: n. the crime of causing the death of a human being ... gence manslaughter reckless driving
tortfeasor :: n. a person who commits a tort (civil wrong), eith ... : joint tortfeasors negligence tort
standard of care :: n. the watchfulness, attention, caution and pruden ... of care foreseeable risk negligence
special damages :: n. damages claimed and/or awarded in a lawsuit whi ... . See also: damages general damages
reckless disregard :: n. gross negligence without concern for danger to ... gard for safety. See also: reckless
reckless :: adj. in both negligence and criminal cases, carele ... so: careless negligent wet reckless
rescue doctrine :: n. the rule of law that if a rescuer of a person h ... to the car grill. See also: damages
respondeat superior :: (rehs-pond-dee-at superior) n. Latin for "let the ... : agency agent negligence principal
severance :: n. 1) a separating by court order, such as separat ... le a potential claim for discharge.
right of way :: n. 1) a pathway or road with a specific descriptio ... s easement egress floating easement
legal age :: n. the age at which a person is responsible for hi ... so: infancy juvenile court minority
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
careless :: adj., adv. 1) negligent. 2) the opposite of carefu ... See also: care negligence negligent
care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
breach of trust :: n. 1) any act which is in violation of the duties ... ise or confidence. See also: breach
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
civil code :: n. in many states, the name for the collection of ... negligence lawsuits and practices.
culpable :: adj. sufficiently responsible for criminal acts or ... ons and thus should take the blame.
contingent fee :: n. a fee to a lawyer which will be due and payable ... epend on the outcome are unethical.
bifurcate :: v. the order or ruling of a judge that one issue i ... is necessary. See also: bifurcation
attractive nuisance doctrine :: n. a legal doctrine which makes a person negligent ... ch make negligence harder to prove.
whiplash :: n. a common neck and/or back injury suffered in au ... r damages due to negligent driving.
voir dire :: (vwahr [with a near-silent "r"] deer) n. from Fren ... t witness jury peremptory challenge
wiretap :: n. using an electronic device to listen in on tele ... invasion of privacy probable cause
wrongful termination :: n. a right of an employee to sue his/her employer ... ing an employee's grounds for suit.
private nuisance :: n. the interference with an individual's peaceful ... See also: nuisance public nuisance
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
diligence :: n. reasonable care or attention to a matter, which ... erver's attempt to locate someone).
due care :: n. the conduct that a reasonable man or woman will ... "reasonable" man or woman would do.
guest statute :: n. a state law which sets standards of care by the ... sked to be let out. See also: guest
guest :: n. 1) in general, a person paying to stay in a hot ... ce. See also: guest statute invitee
Good Samaritan rule :: n. from a Biblical story, if a volunteer comes to ... a lawsuit for millions of dollars.
guilty :: adj. having been convicted of a crime or having ad ... on of guilt cop a plea plea bargain
in pari delicto :: adv. (in pah-ree dee-lick-toe) Latin for "in equal ... e proof is that both were involved.
jaywalking :: n. walking across a street outside of marked cross ... jury to the jaywalker by a vehicle.
insurance :: n. a contract (insurance policy) in which the insu ... t clause Workers' Compensation Acts
general damages :: n. monetary recovery (money won) in a lawsuit for ... s exemplary damages special damages
foreseeable risk :: n. a danger which a reasonable person should antic ... reseeable. See also: foreseeability
duty of care :: n. a requirement that a person act toward others a ... e also: negligence standard of care
duty :: n. 1) a legal obligation, the breach of which can ... on imports. See also: duty of care
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
emotional distress :: n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of da ... ar value upon it. See also: damages
foreseeability :: n. reasonable anticipation of the possible results ... e also: foreseeable risk negligence
errors and omissions :: n. short hand for malpractice insurance which give ... issions which amount to negligence.
vexatious litigation :: n. filing a lawsuit with the knowledge that it has ... lous malicious prosecution sanction
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
debt :: n. 1) a sum of money due to another. 2) obligation ... mount owed. See also: common counts
deadly weapon :: n. any weapon which can kill. This includes not on ... See also: assault dangerous weapon
defective title :: n. an apparent title to real property which fails ... so: chain of title defect defective
demurrer :: n. (dee-muhr-ur) a written response to a complaint ... demurrer. See also: motion pleading
deportation :: n. the act of expelling a foreigner from a country ... s usually to the country of origin.
depletion :: n. when a natural resource (particularly oil) is b ... nger be able to make money from it.
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
coroner :: n. a county official with the responsibility to de ... hology. See also: forensic medicine
concealment :: n. fraudulent failure to reveal information which ... lawsuit for fraud. See also: fraud
common counts :: n. claims for debt alleged in a lawsuit (included ... so: cause of action complaint count
confidential relation :: n. a relationship in which one person has confiden ... remely obvious. See also: fiduciary
consequential damages :: n. damages claimed and/or awarded in a lawsuit whi ... See also: damages foreseeable risk
contemplation of death :: n. the anticipation of death in a relatively short ... e also: unified estate and gift tax
conservatee :: n. a person whom a court has determined because of ... and the like. See also: conservator
derivative action :: n. a lawsuit brought by a corporation shareholder ... on director shareholder stockholder
directed verdict :: n. a verdict by a jury based on the specific direc ... element judgment jury trial verdict
ex officio :: a (ex oh-fish-ee-oh)dj. Latin for "from the office ... ne is president of the corporation.
equity :: n. 1) a venerable group of rights and procedures t ... ry enjoin equitable injunction writ
exclusionary rule :: n. the rule that evidence secured by illegal means ... e poisonous tree motion to suppress
executive clemency :: n. the power of a President in federal criminal ca ... ernor. See also: commutation pardon
false arrest :: n. physically detaining someone without the legal ... sment. See also: false imprisonment
extinguishment :: n. the cancellation or destruction of a right, qui ... urther money or performance is due.
enclosure :: (inclosure)n. land bounded by a fence, wall, hedge ... oundaries and cause legal problems.
employee :: n. a person who is hired for a wage, salary, fee o ... ondeat superior scope of employment
disjunctive allegations :: n. the attempt to claim in a civil lawsuit that on ... o: cause of action charge complaint
disbar :: v. to remove an attorney from the list of practici ... legal ethics. (See moral turpitude
dismiss :: v. the ruling by a judge that all or a portion (on ... nst that party. See also: dismissal
dismissal :: n. 1) the act of voluntarily terminating a crimina ... f the settlement. See also: dismiss
dying declaration :: n. the statement of a mortally injured person who ... as no reason not to tell the truth.
domestic violence :: n. the continuing crime and problem of the physica ... ravated assault assault and battery
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
class action :: n. a lawsuit filed by one or more people on behalf ... ees usually require court approval.
amended complaint :: n. what results when the party suing (plaintiff or ... cause of action complaint demurrer
agent :: n. a person who is authorized to act for another ( ... issues. See also: agency authority
amended pleading :: n. a changed written pleading in a lawsuit, includ ... o: amend amended complaint demurrer
amnesty :: n. a blanket abolition of an offense by the govern ... rget the offenses. See also: pardon
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
arbitrary :: adj. not supported by fair or substantial cause or ... d in reference to a judge's ruling.
adequate remedy :: n. a remedy (money or performance) awarded by a co ... es it, giving cause for his arrest.
actionable :: adj. when enough facts or circumstances exist to m ... ction lawsuit malicious prosecution
acceptance of service :: n. agreement by a defendant (or his/her attorney) ... o accept service. See also: service
abandoned property :: n. property left behind (often by a tenant) intent ... -use. See also: abandon abandonment
access :: n. 1) in real estate the right and ability to get ... See also: DNA egress paternity suit
accretion :: n. 1) in real estate, the increase of the actual l ... cted event. See also: probate trust
action :: n. a lawsuit in which one party (or parties) sues ... . See also: cause of action lawsuit
act of God :: n. a natural catastrophe which no one can prevent ... atural event. God knows the answer!
attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed.
attorney's advertising :: n. the commercials which appear on television or c ... es to handle high volume practices.
casualty :: n. 1) an accident which could not have been forese ... definition. See also: casualty loss
casual :: adj. defining something that happens by chance, wi ... ppropriate taxes on the wages paid.
casualty loss :: n. in taxation, loss due to damage which qualifies ... mage from water seepage or erosion.
cease and desist order :: n. an order of a court or government agency to a p ... ing which would damage the ecology.
challenge :: n. the right of each attorney in a jury trial to r ... ess. See also: peremptory challenge
certificate of deposit (CD) :: n. a document issued by a bank in return for a dep ... D before the pledged time runs out.
case :: n. short for a cause of action, lawsuit, or the ri ... ny, the court stated the rule as:."
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
boycott :: n. organized refusal to purchase products or patro ... e laws. See also: secondary boycott
Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people.
breach of contract :: n. failing to perform any term of a contract, writ ... breach breach specific performance
burden of proof :: n. the requirement that the plaintiff (the party b ... ence prima facie weight of evidence
but for rule :: n. one of several tests to determine if a defendan ... e damage. See also: proximate cause
business invitee :: n. a person entering commercial premises for the p ... to the contrary. See also: invitee
family purpose doctrine :: n. a rule of law that the registered owner of an a ... riving his/her car with permission.
fighting words :: n. words intentionally directed toward another per ... he basis for a lawsuit for assault.
modification :: n. a change in an existing court order or judgment ... terms of child support and custody.
mistrial :: n. the termination of a trial before its normal co ... from the beginning. See also: trial
motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion
motion to strike :: n. a request for a judge's order to eliminate all ... be unrung." See also: motion strike
necessary party :: n. a person or entity whose interests will be affe ... o: indispensable party proper party
multifarious :: adj., adv. reference to a lawsuit in which either ... ed misjoinder. See also: misjoinder
mistake :: n. 1) an error in comprehending facts, meaning of ... time. See also: contract rescission
misjoinder :: n. the inclusion of parties (plaintiffs or defenda ... ent transactions. See also: joinder
malice aforethought :: n. 1) the conscious intent to cause death or great ... : first degree murder malice murder
malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander
malum in se :: (mal-uhm in say) adv. Latin referring to an act th ... hibitum. See also: malum prohibitum
manslaughter :: n. the unlawful killing of another person without ... laughter. See also: homicide murder
mayhem :: 1) n. the criminal act of disabling, disfiguring o ... so: aggravated assault assault maim
martial law :: n. a system of complete control by a country's mil ... n and women. See also: military law
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
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
perjury :: n. the crime of intentionally lying after being du ... ly made a mistake or misunderstood.
plain view doctrine :: n. the rule that a law enforcement officer may mak ... : search and seizure search warrant
police court :: n. in some states a type of municipal court which ... municipal court preliminary hearing
post mortem :: n. Latin for "after death," an examination of a de ... alled an autopsy. See also: coroner
possibility of a reverter :: n. the potential that the title to a real property ... further issue. See also: reversion
peremptory writ of mandate :: (or mandamus) n. a final order of a court to any g ... ve writ. See also: mandamus mandate
peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire
nuisance :: n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful u ... evening). See also: public nuisance
nominee :: n. 1) a person or entity who is requested or named ... ic office. See also: agent executor
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
O.S.C. :: n. short for order to show cause. See also: order ... ause. See also: order to show cause
pendent jurisdiction :: n. in federal procedure, the policy that allows a ... n. (It also may be spelled: pendant
partial breach :: n. the failure to meet a term of a contract which ... g in the missing or expected items.
legal aid society :: n. an organization formed to assist persons who ha ... bar association. See also: pro bono
legal advertising :: n. 1) notices of probate sales and other documents ... quality of the lawyers advertising.
impaneling :: n. the act of selecting a jury from the list of po ... e juror jury panel venire voir dire
illusory promise :: n. an agreement to do something that is so indefin ... he may have thought was a contract.
impleader :: n. a procedural device before trial in which a par ... than having two suits in a series.
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied
incompetent evidence :: n. testimony, documents or things which one side a ... ns. See also: incompetent objection
incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
harass :: (either harris or huh-rass) v. systematic and/or c ... also: harassment sexual harassment
fornication :: n. sexual intercourse between a man and woman who ... obbers, murderers and drug dealers.
forensic medicine :: n. research, reports and testimony in court by exp ... dical examiners. See also: forensic
fraud in the inducement :: n. the use of deceit or trick to cause someone to ... nt. See also: extrinsic fraud fraud
goodwill :: n. the benefit of a business having a good reputat ... an unknowing buyer. See also: sale
habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction.
Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing
incorporate by reference :: v. to include language from another document or el ... uses of Action hereinabove stated."
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
jury selection :: n. the means by which a jury is chosen, with a pan ... y panel peremptory challenge venire
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
justiciable :: n. referring to a matter which is capable of being ... e of action" or "justiciable case."
lapse :: 1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made i ... eficiary devisee legatee trust will
leasehold :: n. the real estate which is the subject of a lease ... sehold. See also: condominium lease
lawsuit :: n. a common term for a legal action by one person ... See also: case cause of action suit
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
joinder :: n. the joining together of several lawsuits or sev ... er misjoinder multiplicity of suits
insufficient evidence :: n. a finding (decision) by a trial judge or an app ... l court. See also: evidence finding
inquest :: n. 1) an investigation and/or a hearing held by th ... surrogate judge. See also: coroner
interlocutory decree :: n. a court judgment which is temporary and not int ... ppeared to waste the parties' time.
invasion of privacy :: n. the intrusion into the personal life of another ... randeis. See also: right to privacy
irreparable damage or injury :: n. the type of harm which no monetary compensation ... also: equity injunction remedy writ
prayer :: n. the specific request for judgment, relief and/o ... ee also: complaint default judgment