{"id":2126,"date":"2022-12-15T23:46:48","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T23:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/acelawyers.pro\/?page_id=2126"},"modified":"2023-04-13T23:08:35","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T23:08:35","slug":"glossary-legal-terms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/acelawyers.pro\/blog\/glossary-legal-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"Glossary of Legal Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671091992500{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671146855633{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]Welcome to the glossary of legal terms by AceLawyers<\/a>. This article provides a comprehensive list of common legal terms and their definitions to help you better understand the legal system. Whether you are new to the legal world or just looking to brush up on your legal vocabulary, this glossary is an essential resource.\u00a0By selecting a letter from the list below, you can more easily access the terms listed in alphabetical order:<\/p>\n A<\/a> | B<\/a> | C<\/a> | D<\/a> | E<\/a> | F<\/a> | G<\/a> | H<\/a> | I<\/a> | J<\/a> | K | L<\/a> | M<\/a> | N<\/a> | O<\/a> | P<\/a> | Q<\/a> | R<\/a> | S<\/a> | T<\/a> | U<\/a> | V<\/a> | W<\/a> | X | Y | Z<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671099283731{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”A”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671093658108{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]A<\/span><\/p>\n Acquittal<\/strong> Affidavit<\/strong> Affirmed<\/strong> Alford plea<\/strong> Allegation<\/strong> Answer<\/strong> Appeal<\/strong> Appellate<\/strong> Arraignment<\/strong> Arbitration<\/strong> Arrest warrant<\/strong> Bail<\/strong> Bankruptcy<\/strong> Bench trial<\/strong> Beyond a reasonable doubt<\/strong> Binding precedent<\/strong> Breach of contract<\/strong> Brief<\/strong> Burden of proof<\/strong> Burglary<\/strong> Bystander<\/strong> Capital offense<\/strong> Case law<\/strong> Civil law<\/strong> Chambers<\/strong> Charge<\/strong> Charge to the jury<\/strong> Circumstantial evidence<\/strong> Clerk of court<\/strong> Common law<\/strong> Complaint<\/strong> Continuance<\/strong> Contract<\/strong> Consent<\/strong> Contempt of court<\/strong> Conviction<\/strong> Corporations<\/strong> Counterclaim<\/strong> Court<\/strong> Court reporter<\/strong> Criminal law<\/strong> Cross-examination<\/strong> Damages<\/strong> Debt<\/strong> Default Judgment<\/strong> Defense table<\/strong> Defendant<\/strong> Deposition<\/strong> Direct evidence<\/strong> Discovery<\/strong> Dismissal<\/strong> Docket<\/strong> En banc<\/strong> Estate<\/strong> Evidence<\/strong> Execution<\/strong> Exclusive jurisdiction<\/strong> Exculpatory evidence<\/strong> Exhibit<\/strong> Extradition<\/strong> en banc, exculpatory evidence, exhibit ????????[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143248988{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”F”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143018066{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]F<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Fair trial<\/strong> False imprisonment<\/strong> Federal question<\/strong> Felony<\/strong> File<\/strong> First-degree murder<\/strong> Fraud<\/strong> Full faith and credit<\/strong> Garnishment<\/strong> General jurisdiction<\/strong> Good faith<\/strong> Grand jury<\/strong> Habeas corpus<\/strong> Harassment<\/strong> Homicide<\/strong> Hostile witness<\/strong> Hearsay<\/strong> Impeachment<\/strong> Inculpatory evidence<\/strong> In forma pauperis<\/strong> Indictment<\/strong> Information<\/strong> Injunction<\/strong> Initial hearing<\/strong> Insanity defense<\/strong> Inter vivos trust<\/strong> Interlocutory injunction<\/strong> Interrogatories<\/strong> Interview<\/strong> Issue<\/strong> Judge<\/strong> Judgment<\/strong> Jurisdiction<\/strong> Jurisprudence<\/strong> Juror<\/strong> Jury<\/strong> Jury instructions<\/strong> Jury pool<\/strong> Just cause<\/strong> Lawsuit<\/strong> Law clerk (or staff attorney)<\/strong> Larceny<\/strong> Legal tender<\/strong> Libel<\/strong> Librarian<\/strong> Lien<\/strong> Limitation of actions<\/strong> Litigation<\/strong> Magistrate judges<\/strong>
\nA conviction that a criminal defendant has not been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n
\nA written or printed statement made under oath<\/p>\n
\nWhen an appeals court rules that the decree or order is lawful and will stand as it was decided by the lower court.<\/p>\n
\nA defendant who enters an Alford plea might maintain his innocence while still allowing the court to sentence him without a trial. In essence, the defendant is acknowledging that there is enough proof of guilt to convict. Such a plea is frequently entered in an effort to reach an agreement with the prosecutor for reduced charges or a sentence.<\/p>\n
\nA claim that something occurred.<\/p>\n
\nA defendant’s formal written response to a civil lawsuit in which they present their defenses.<\/p>\n
\nA request made following a trial asking a different court (often the court of appeals) to determine whether the trial was properly conducted. Such a request is referred to as “taking an appeal” or “appealing.” The party appealing is referred to as the appellant, and it might be either the plaintiff or the defendant. Appeals may be filed for a number of reasons, such as an incorrect procedure or a request that the court revises its legal analysis.<\/p>\n
\nA court that has the authority to review the decision of another lower court or tribunal.<\/p>\n
\nAn accused criminal is brought before the court, informed of the allegations, and given the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.<\/p>\n
\nA method of resolving disputes outside of court, where a neutral third party makes a decision<\/p>\n
\nA formal order directing the arrest of a party is known as an arrest warrant. A judge will issue an arrest warrant following the presentation of reasonable cause.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671099338191{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”B”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671095452222{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]B<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMoney or property given to the court to ensure that a defendant will appear for trial<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe legal process by which a person or organization is relieved of their financial obligations<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA trial without a jury, where the judge decides the case<\/p>\n
\nThe standard of proof required to convict a defendant in a criminal trial<\/p>\n
\nAcourt decision that must be followed by lower courts in the same jurisdiction<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>A failure to fulfill a contractual obligation<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA written argument submitted to a court in support of a particular legal position<\/p>\n
\nThe obligation to prove a disputed fact in court<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe crime of breaking into a building with the intent to commit a crime<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA person who is present at an event but is not directly involved in it<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671099352631{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”C”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671097069590{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]C<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nA crime that is punishable by death.<\/p>\n
\nThe law that is created by the decisions of judges in court cases.<\/p>\n
\nLaw that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations<\/p>\n
\nA private room where a judge can work, hold conferences with lawyers, or make decisions on cases.<\/p>\n
\nAn accusation of a crime.<\/p>\n
\nA judge’s instructions to the jury before they begin deliberating in a case.<\/p>\n
\nEvidence that suggests something happened, but does not directly prove it.<\/p>\n
\nThe person in charge of managing the records and administration of a court.<\/p>\n
\nA type of law that is based on legal traditions and customs, rather than on written laws.<\/p>\n
\nA written statement that begins a lawsuit<\/p>\n
\nThe postponement of a court hearing or trial to a later date.<\/p>\n
\nAn agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law.<\/p>\n
\nVoluntary agreement to an act or proposal<\/p>\n
\nBehavior that interferes with a court’s ability to conduct a fair and impartial trial<\/p>\n
\nA formal judgment of guilt against a person who has been found guilty of a crime. Counsel is another term for a lawyer.<\/p>\n
\nA legal entity created by individuals, stockholders, or shareholders to conduct business<\/p>\n
\nA claim that is made in response to another claim in a legal case.<\/p>\n
\nA government body that is authorized to resolve legal disputes, including criminal and civil cases.<\/p>\n
\nA person who records everything that is said in a court proceeding, either by writing it down or by using a machine that creates a written record.<\/p>\n
\nLaw that deals with crimes and their punishments<\/p>\n
\nThe questioning of a witness by the party that did not call the witness to testify[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671099373164{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”D”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671098426670{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]D<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe sums of money awarded to successful plaintiffs in civil cases by the defendants as compensation for their injuries.<\/p>\n
\nMoney that is owed by one person or entity to another.<\/p>\n
\nIs when a decision is entered as a result of the defendant’s absence or refusal to answer.<\/p>\n
\nThe bench where the defendant and defense attorney are seated in court.<\/p>\n
\nThe person who is being sued in a civil lawsuit; in a criminal case, the person who is being charged with the crime.<\/p>\n
\nThe testimony of a witness given under oath, typically outside of a courtroom.<\/p>\n
\nIs the lawyers’ review of the facts and records in the opponents’ possession prior to trial to assist the lawyers in trial preparation.<\/p>\n
\nIn order to better prepare for trial, attorneys examine facts and documents held by their opponents prior to trial. This process is known as discovery.<\/p>\n
\nThe act of ending a legal case, either by a judge or at the request of one of the parties.<\/p>\n
\nA journal with brief entries of court cases.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671099396891{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”E”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671099198816{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]E<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nA hearing or decision in which all the judges of a court participate, as opposed to a smaller panel of judges.<\/p>\n
\nThe total property and possessions owned by a person, either during their lifetime or after their death.<\/p>\n
\nAny material, such as documents, photographs, or witness statements, that is presented in a court of law to support a claim or argument.<\/p>\n
\nThe act of carrying out a judgment or decision of a court, such as by seizing property or evicting a tenant.<\/p>\n
\nThe power of a court to hear and decide a case to the exclusion of all other courts.<\/p>\n
\nEvidence that tends to clear a person of blame or guilt.<\/p>\n
\nA piece of evidence or object produced in court for the purpose of being inspected by the judges or jurors.<\/p>\n
\nThe process of surrendering a person who has fled from one jurisdiction to another, in order to face criminal charges or serve a sentence.<\/p>\n
\nA trial in which a person’s rights are protected and they are given a fair and impartial hearing.<\/p>\n
\nThe unlawful detention of a person against their will.<\/p>\n
\nA matter that arises under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States. Federal courts have jurisdiction (the power to hear and decide a case) over cases that involve a federal question.<\/p>\n
\nA serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.<\/p>\n
\nTo submit a document or other material to a court, typically as part of a legal proceeding. For example, a person might file a complaint or a motion with the court.<\/p>\n
\nThe most serious type of murder, typically involving premeditation or planning.<\/p>\n
\nThe crime of using deception to obtain money, property, or other benefits illegally.<\/p>\n
\nThe legal requirement for states to recognize and enforce each other’s laws and court decisions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143267827{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”G”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143070226{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]G<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nA legal process in which a person’s wages or other property are seized to satisfy a debt or judgment.<\/p>\n
\nThe authority of a court to hear any type of case, as opposed to a court with limited jurisdiction that can only hear specific types of cases.<\/p>\n
\nThe belief that a person is acting honestly and without intending to deceive or defraud.<\/p>\n
\nA group of citizens who are selected and sworn to investigate potential criminal offenses and determine whether there is probable cause to bring criminal charges.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143283807{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”H”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143119375{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]H<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nA legal action that is used to bring a person who is being detained before a court to determine the legality of their detention.<\/p>\n
\nThe act of repeatedly making unwanted and annoying or threatening advances or comments towards another person.<\/p>\n
\nThe killing of one person by another, whether intentional or accidental.<\/p>\n
\nA witness who is unwilling to cooperate or who provides testimony that is unfavorable to the party that called them to testify.<\/p>\n
\nA term that is used in the law of evidence to refer to statements that are made by a person who is not present in court and are offered as evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Hearsay evidence is generally not admissible in court because the person who made the statement is not available to be cross-examined and the reliability of the statement cannot be adequately determined.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143297153{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”I”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143203805{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]I<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe process of bringing formal charges against a public official, such as a president or a judge, for misconduct in office.<\/p>\n
\nEvidence that tends to prove that a person is guilty of a crime.<\/p>\n
\nA legal term that refers to a person who is unable to pay the costs of a legal proceeding and is therefore allowed to bring their case before the court without paying the usual fees.<\/p>\n
\nA formal accusation that is brought against a person by a grand jury, charging them with a crime.<\/p>\n
\nA formal accusation that is brought against a person by the prosecutor, charging them with a crime. In some jurisdictions, an information is the equivalent of an indictment, while in others it is used for less serious offenses.<\/p>\n
\nA court order that requires a person to do or refrain from doing a specific action.<\/p>\n
\nA court hearing that is held early in a legal proceeding, typically to set a schedule for the case and to discuss any preliminary matters.<\/p>\n
\nA legal defense in which a defendant argues that they should not be held responsible for a crime because they were mentally ill at the time the crime was committed.<\/p>\n
\nA trust that is created during a person’s lifetime, as opposed to a testamentary trust that is created through a will.<\/p>\n
\nA court order that is issued during the course of a legal proceeding and that requires a person to do or refrain from doing a specific action.<\/p>\n
\nWritten questions that are submitted by one party in a legal proceeding to the other party, with the aim of obtaining information or evidence.<\/p>\n
\nA meeting in which one or more people ask questions of another person to obtain information. In a legal context, an interview might be conducted as part of an investigation or as part of the discovery process in a legal case.<\/p>\n
\nA point that is in dispute in a legal case and that must be decided by the court. For example, the issue in a criminal case might be whether the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143357529{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”J”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143380512{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]J<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nA person who is authorized to preside over and make decisions in a court of law. A judge must be impartial and unbiased and is responsible for ensuring that the proceedings in a case are conducted in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n
\nA decision that is made by a court in a legal case. A judgment typically includes the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, as well as the court’s orders or directives.<\/p>\n
\nThe authority of a court to hear and decide a particular case. A court must have jurisdiction over the subject matter of the case, as well as over the parties to the case, in order to make a valid judgment.<\/p>\n
\nThe study of law and the principles and practices of the legal system.<\/p>\n
\nA person who is selected to serve on a jury. Jurors are responsible for hearing the evidence in a case and rendering a verdict based on the evidence and the law.<\/p>\n
\nA group of people who are selected and sworn to hear the evidence in a legal case and to render a verdict based on the evidence and the law.<\/p>\n
\nThe instructions that are given to a jury by the judge, explaining the law that applies to the case and outlining the steps that the jury should follow in reaching a verdict.<\/p>\n
\nThe group of people who are eligible to serve on a jury in a particular case. The jury pool is typically selected from a larger group, such as the list of registered voters or licensed drivers in the area where the court is located.<\/p>\n
\nA valid reason or justification for taking a particular action, such as firing an employee or imposing a punishment.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143420989{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”L”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143456069{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]L<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nA legal action brought by one party against another in a court of law.<\/p>\n
\nAlaw graduate who works as an assistant to a judge or lawyer, researching legal issues and drafting legal documents.<\/p>\n
\nThe crime of taking another person’s property without their consent and with the intent to permanently deprive them of the property.<\/p>\n
\nMoney that is accepted by law as a means of payment.<\/p>\n
\nThe crime of publishing false and defamatory statements about another person, with the intent to harm their reputation or to expose them to public ridicule.<\/p>\n
\nA person who works in a library and is responsible for organizing, cataloging, and maintaining the library’s collections of books and other materials.<\/p>\n
\nA legal claim or charge on a person’s property to secure the payment of a debt or obligation.<\/p>\n
\nThe time period within which a legal action must be brought, as specified by law.<\/p>\n
\nThe process of taking legal action, especially the process of conducting a lawsuit.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1671143497452{margin-top: 30px !important;}” el_id=”M”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1671143536313{padding-right: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”]M<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
\nJudicial officers of the United States federal courts. They are appointed by the district court judges in their respective districts and serve under the supervision of the district court. They have the authority to preside over certain types of cases, such as misdemeanors, preliminary hearings, and other minor criminal and civil matters.<\/p>\n