Dictionary of Law
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sanction :: legal definition


Sanction - n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a party or attorney for violation of a court rule, for receiving a special waiver of a rule, or as a fine for contempt of court. If a fine, the sanction may be paid to the court or to the opposing party to compensate the other side for inconvenience or added legal work due to the rule violation. Examples: a) under local rules Bagatelle's attorney is required to file a brief in response to the opposition's motion five days before the hearing, but is two days late. The judge accepts the documents, but imposes a $200 sanction on Bagatelle's attorney for the failure to file them on time. b) Campbell's lawyer wants to include a newly found expert in his list of witnesses, but the date for adding to the list has passed. The judge permits the added witness, but allows the opposition to take the expert's deposition, and imposes a sanction (fine) on Campbell to pay both sides' costs of the deposition and $500 attorney's fees to the opposing counsel. c) Defendant Danny Dipper says "you son-of-a-bitch" in court when the judge fines him $100 for jay-walking. The judge imposes a sanction of $200 and a day in jail for Danny's contempt of court. 2) v. to impose a fine or penalty as part of a judge's duty to maintain both order and fairness in court. 3) v. in international law, to impose economic constraints on trade against a country that violates international law or is guilty of human rights violations. 4) v. to allow or approve. This meaning is ironically in contrast to the other definitions of "sanction."

See also: contempt of court 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.
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
administrative law :: n. the procedures created by administrative agenci ... judge Administrative Procedure Act
admiralty :: n. concerning activities which occur at sea, inclu ... "proctors." See also: maritime law
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
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
amend :: v. to alter or change by adding, subtracting, or s ... mended pleading statute stipulation
American Bar Association :: n. the largest organization of American lawyers, w ... go, IL 60611; tel.: (312) 988-5522.
amicus curiae :: n. Latin for "friend of the court," a party or an ... party's presentation to the court.
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
antitrust laws :: n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict ... so: price fixing restraint of trade
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
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.
arbitration :: n. a mini-trial, which may be for a lawsuit ready ... tance of the arbitrator's decision.
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 General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
attorney of record :: n. the attorney who has appeared in court and/or s ... eve have long since been completed.
attorney's advertising :: n. the commercials which appear on television or c ... es to handle high volume practices.
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bankruptcy proceedings :: n. the bankruptcy procedure is: a) filing a petiti ... ankruptcy court claim in bankruptcy
bar :: 1) n. collectively all attorneys, as "the bar," wh ... a room, building, or real property.
bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney
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
cartel :: n. 1) an arrangement among supposedly independent ... Colombia. See also: antitrust laws
case law :: n. reported decisions of appeals courts and other ... es. See also: case system precedent
case system :: n. the method of studying law generally used in Am ... Langdell and soon became standard.
challenge :: n. the right of each attorney in a jury trial to r ... ess. See also: peremptory challenge
Chief Justice :: n. the presiding judge of any State Supreme Court ... nks of existing Associate Justices.
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.
claim in bankruptcy :: n. the written claim filed by persons or businesse ... : bankruptcy bankruptcy proceedings
class action :: n. a lawsuit filed by one or more people on behalf ... ees usually require court approval.
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.
comity :: n. when one court defers to the jurisdiction of an ... of cases to which comity may apply.
commercial frustration :: n. an unforeseen uncontrollable event which occurs ... rustration of purpose impossibility
common law :: n. the traditional unwritten law of England, based ... plied without reference to statute.
comparative negligence :: n. a rule of law applied in accident cases to dete ... utory negligence damages negligence
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
conclusion of law :: n. a judge's final decision on a question of law w ... aw if requested. See also: judgment
conflict of law :: n. a situation in which both state and federal law ... y arose. See also: forum preemption
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
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
continuing objection :: n. an objection to certain questions or testimony ... ional distress. See also: objection
contract :: 1) n. an agreement with specific terms between two ... n oral contract unilateral contract
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
cost bill :: n. a list of claimed court costs submitted by the ... also: court costs prevailing party
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 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.
criminal calendar :: n. the list of criminal cases to be called in cour ... e plea preliminary hearing sentence
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
cruel and unusual punishment :: n. governmental penalties against convicted crimin ... opted. See also: capital punishment
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
day in court :: n. popular term for everyone's opportunity to brin ... rt to protest his speeding ticket."
declaratory judgment :: n. a judgment of a court which determines the righ ... ys it. See also: declaratory relief
deed :: 1) n. the written document which transfers title ( ... veyance deed of trust warranty deed
default :: 1) n. failure to respond to a summons and complain ... default judgment notice of default
demurrer :: n. (dee-muhr-ur) a written response to a complaint ... demurrer. See also: motion pleading
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
descent :: n. the rules of inheritance established by law in ... on inheritance intestate succession
direct examination :: n. the first questioning of a witness during a tri ... nation deposition testimony witness
disbar :: v. to remove an attorney from the list of practici ... legal ethics. (See moral turpitude
discovery :: n. the entire efforts of a party to a lawsuit and ... ee also: deposition interrogatories
dismiss :: v. the ruling by a judge that all or a portion (on ... nst that party. See also: dismissal
divorce :: 1) n. the termination of a marriage by legal actio ... y separate property spousal support
docket :: 1) n. the cases on a court calendar. 2) n. brief n ... r or make notes on action in court.
ejusdem generis :: (eh-youse-dem generous) v adj. Latin for "of the s ... t was of land-based transportation.
enjoin :: v. for a court to order that someone either do a s ... so: injunction temporary injunction
entrapment :: n. in criminal law, the act of law enforcement off ... e drugs if not pressed by the narc?
equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law
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
evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant
ex parte :: (ex par-tay, but popularly, ex party) adj. Latin m ... and place of any ex parte hearing.
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
exception :: n. 1) a formal objection during trial ("We take ex ... cluded. See also: exception in deed
exclusionary rule :: n. the rule that evidence secured by illegal means ... e poisonous tree motion to suppress
expert witness :: n. a person who is a specialist in a subject, ofte ... sitions. See also: expert testimony
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.
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993.
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
Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing
grantor-grantee index :: n. a set of books and/or computerized lists found ... ument in tracking a chain of title.
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.
harmless error :: n. an error by a judge in the conduct of a trial w ... ar to be harmless." See also: error
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
in propria persona :: adj. from Latin "for one's self," acting on one's ... client and an ass for an attorney."
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
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
insurance :: n. a contract (insurance policy) in which the insu ... t clause Workers' Compensation Acts
international law :: n. treaties between countries; multi-lateral agree ... all nations. See also: World Court
interpleader :: n. the procedure when two parties are involved in ... e claimants fight over it in court.
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
joinder :: n. the joining together of several lawsuits or sev ... er misjoinder multiplicity of suits
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
judgment creditor :: n. the winning plaintiff in a lawsuit to whom the ... 's rights judgment prevailing party
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
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
kangaroo court :: n. 1) a mock court set up without legal basis, suc ... See also: star chamber proceedings
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
lay a foundation :: v. in evidence, to provide to the judge the qualif ... ce and training. See also: evidence
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
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
lineup :: n. a law enforcement method used in an attempt to ... entification is precarious at best.
lis pendens :: (lease pen-dense) n. Latin for "a suit pending," a ... ob can be penalized by court order.
living will :: n. also called "a durable power of attorney," it i ... upport. See also: power of attorney
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
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
mandamus :: (man-dame-us) n. Latin for "we order," a writ (mor ... mandamus. See also: writ of mandate
marshal :: 1) n. a federal court official who may serve paper ... tablish priorities among creditors.
maxims :: n. a collection of legal truisms which are used as ... e and the ordinary habits of life."
mediation :: n. the attempt to settle a legal dispute through a ... a settlement. See also: arbitration
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
mistake :: n. 1) an error in comprehending facts, meaning of ... time. See also: contract rescission
moot court :: n. law school exercise in which students argue bot ... fferent law schools. See also: moot
motion :: n. a formal request made to a judge for an order o ... g, an oral motion may be permitted.
motion for a summary judgment :: n. a written request for a judgment in the moving ... strict procedures. See also: motion
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
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
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
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
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.
out of court :: adj. referring to actions, including negotiations ... is dismissed. See also: settlement
overrule :: v. 1) to reject an attorney's objection to a quest ... : appellate court objection sustain
paid into court :: adj. referring to money deposited with the clerk o ... differences. See also: interpleader
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
party of the first part :: n. reference in a written contract to identify one ... ies another party to the agreement.
peremptory challenge :: n. the right of the plaintiff and the defendant in ... challenge for cause jury voir dire
petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
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.
prevailing party :: n. the winner in a lawsuit. Many contracts, leases ... ed before or after trial has begun.
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
privileges and immunities :: n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre ... t impinge on constitutional rights.
pro tem :: 1) adj. short for the Latin pro tempore, temporari ... as "Sam Collins is Pro Tem today."
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 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
qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors.
real party in interest :: n. the person or entity who will benefit from a la ... st is the beneficiary of the trust.
recuse :: v. to refuse to be a judge (or for a judge to agre ... to the defendant. See also: recusal
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
remand :: v. to send back. An appeals court may remand a cas ... ee also: appeal preliminary hearing
respondent :: n. 1) the party who is required to answer a petiti ... "appellant") in the appeals court.
retroactive :: adj. referring to a court's decision or a statute ... ospective." See also: ex post facto
review :: n. the judicial consideration of a lower court jud ... ate court reversal reversible error
ripe :: adj. in constitutional law, referring to a law cas ... or more issues raised by the case.
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
rules of court :: n. a set of procedural regulations adopted by cour ... s counsel. See also: procedure rule
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
service by mail :: n. mailing legal pleadings to opposing attorneys o ... attorney by mail. See also: service
settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle
sheriff :: n. the top law enforcement officer for a county, u ... ." See also: bailiff sheriff's sale
shortening time :: n. an order of the court in response to the motion ... e notice is served within 24 hours.
small claims court :: n. a division of most municipal, city or other low ... od example of a small claims court.
speaking demurrer :: n. an attempt to introduce evidence during a heari ... the operation." See also: demurrer
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
special prosecutor :: n. an attorney from outside of the government sele ... Robert Bork finally discharged Cox.
standing :: n. the right to file a lawsuit or file a petition ... so: actual controversy jurisdiction
status conference :: n. a pre-trial meeting of attorneys before a judge ... g a trial date. See also: discovery
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
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
substitution of attorney :: n. a document in which the party to a lawsuit stat ... t any time. See also: substitute in
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.
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
timely :: adj. within the time required by statute, court ru ... ed on the 61st day is not "timely."
toll :: v. 1) to delay, suspend or hold off the effect of ... bridge or take passage on a ferry.
transcript :: n. the written record of all proceedings, includin ... unless transcription is requested.
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.
unconstitutional :: adj. referring to a statute, governmental conduct, ... ee also: constitution Supreme Court
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
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
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
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will
witness stand :: n. a chair at the end of the judge's bench on the ... estimony clearly. See also: witness
World Court :: n. the Court of International Justice, founded by ... rd and to be bound by the decision.
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).

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 - S

said :: adj. a reference back to a thing that was previous ... automobile in a negligent manner."
sale :: n. transfer of something (and title to it) in retu ... contract forced sale sheriff's sale
salvage :: 1) v. to save goods. 2) n. payment to a person or ... which saves cargo from a shipwreck.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
satisfaction :: n. receiving payment or performance of what is due ... n contract satisfaction of judgment
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
satisfaction of mortgage :: n. a document signed by a lender acknowledging tha ... id off the debt. See also: mortgage
save harmless :: v. 1) also called hold harmless, to indemnify (pro ... . See also: hold harmless indemnify
savings and loan :: n. a banking and lending institution, chartered ei ... vings into the home finance market.
scienter :: n. Latin for "having knowledge." In criminal law, ... ents were lies and thus fraudulent.
scintilla :: n. Latin for "spark." Scintilla is commonly used i ... ark) upon which to base a judgment.
scope of employment :: n. actions of an employee which further the busine ... ter and servant respondeat superior
scrivener :: n. a person who writes a document for another, usu ... r practicing law without a license.
seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today.
sealed verdict :: n. the decision of a jury when there is a delay in ... reconvenes. See also: jury verdict
sealing of records :: n. trial records and decisions which a judge order ... eep the terms from public scrutiny.
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
second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder