- Acquittal
- A legal judgment that officially and formally clears a defendant of criminal charges.
- Alimony
- Financial support paid to an ex-spouse after divorce, determined by court order or agreement.
- Arraignment
- The court proceeding in which a defendant is formally charged and enters a plea.
- Brief
- A written document submitted to a court that outlines one party’s legal arguments.
- Damages
- Monetary compensation awarded to a party in a lawsuit for loss or injury.
- Defendant
- A person, company, or institution being sued or accused in a court of law.
- Due Process
- The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.
- Emancipation
- A legal process that grants minors independence from their parents or guardians.
- Hearing
- A proceeding before a judge or magistrate where evidence and arguments are presented.
- Injunction
- A court order requiring an individual or entity to do or cease doing a specific action.
- Acquittal
- A legal judgment that officially and formally clears a defendant of criminal charges.
- Adjudication
- The legal process of resolving a dispute or deciding a case.
- Alimony
- Financial support paid to an ex-spouse after divorce.
- Arraignment
- A court proceeding where the defendant is formally charged and asked to respond.
- Asset
- Anything owned that has value, which can be used to settle debts.
- Bankruptcy
- A legal status of a person or entity that cannot repay debts to creditors.
- Beneficiary
- A person designated to receive assets or benefits from a legal arrangement like a will or trust.
- Breach of Contract
- Failure to fulfill the terms of a legally binding agreement.
- Burden of Proof
- The obligation to prove one’s assertion in a legal case.
- Civil Case
- A non-criminal lawsuit, typically involving private rights or remedies.
- Class Action
- A lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of people with similar claims.
- Common Law
- Law developed through court decisions rather than statutes.
- Complainant
- A person who files a formal accusation or complaint in court.
- Contempt of Court
- Disobedience or disrespect toward a court or its rules.
- Court Order
- An official directive issued by a judge or court requiring specific actions.
- Cross-Examination
- The questioning of a witness by the opposing party in a trial.
- Damages
- Money awarded by a court to compensate for injury or loss.
- Decree
- A court’s formal order or decision in a case, especially in family law.
- Defamation
- A false statement that harms someone’s reputation.
- Defendant
- The person accused or sued in a court of law.
- Deliberation
- The jury’s formal discussion before reaching a verdict.
- Discovery
- The pre-trial process where both parties exchange legal information and evidence.
- Docket
- A list of cases scheduled to be heard by a court.
- Emancipation
- The legal process of freeing a minor from parental control.
- Embezzlement
- Fraudulent taking of property by someone entrusted with it.
- Equity
- Justice administered according to fairness rather than strict legal rules.
- Evidence
- Material used in court to prove or disprove a fact.
- Executor
- A person named in a will to manage the estate of the deceased.
- Forgery
- The crime of falsely making or altering a document with intent to defraud.
- Garnishment
- A court order allowing part of a person’s wages to be withheld for debt repayment.
- Guardian
- A person legally responsible for the care of someone unable to manage their own affairs.
- Hearing
- A court session where testimony and arguments are presented.
- Hearsay
- Secondhand information not allowed as evidence in most trials.
- Immunity
- Legal protection from prosecution granted in exchange for cooperation.
- Indictment
- A formal charge issued by a grand jury indicating there is enough evidence for a trial.
- Injunction
- A court order that requires or prohibits specific actions.
- Intellectual Property
- Creations of the mind such as inventions, literary works, and designs protected by law.
- Interrogatories
- Written questions submitted by one party to another as part of discovery.
- Judgment
- The final decision of a court resolving the dispute between the parties.
- Jury
- A group of citizens selected to determine the facts and render a verdict in a trial.
- Liability
- Legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions.
- Lien
- A legal right to keep possession of property until a debt is paid.
- Arraignment
- A court proceeding in which the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea.
- Bankruptcy
- A legal process for individuals or businesses unable to repay their debts.
- Breach of Contract
- Failure to fulfill the terms of a legally binding agreement.
- Burden of Proof
- The obligation to prove one’s assertion in a legal case.
- Civil Law
- The body of laws dealing with private rights and remedies.
- Class Action
- A lawsuit filed on behalf of a group with similar legal claims.
- Complainant
- A person who brings a legal complaint or lawsuit.
- Contempt of Court
- Disobedience or disrespect toward a court of law.
- Cross-examination
- Questioning of a witness by the opposing party in a trial.
- Defendant
- The person or entity being accused or sued in a court of law.
- Discovery
- The pre-trial process of exchanging information and evidence.
- Docket
- A court’s official schedule of proceedings and cases.
- Due Process
- Fair treatment through the judicial system, guaranteed by the Constitution.
- Emancipation
- The legal process of a minor gaining independence from parental control.
- En Banc
- When all judges of an appellate court hear a case together.
- Expungement
- The process of sealing or erasing a criminal record.
- Fiduciary Duty
- An obligation to act in another party’s best interest.
- Foreclosure
- The legal process of taking possession of a property due to missed payments.
- Grand Jury
- A group of citizens that determines if there is enough evidence for a trial.
- Habeas Corpus
- A legal action to determine if a person’s imprisonment is lawful.
- Immunity
- Protection from legal action or prosecution.
- Indictment
- A formal charge issued by a grand jury.
- Injunction
- A court order requiring a person to do or stop doing a specific action.
- Jurisdiction
- The authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
- Liability
- Legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions.
- Lien
- A legal right to keep possession of property until a debt is paid.
- Mediation
- A voluntary process to resolve disputes with the help of a neutral third party.
- Negligence
- Failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or damage.
- Parole
- The release of a prisoner before completing their sentence under supervision.
- Plaintiff
- The person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
- Plea Bargain
- An agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge.
- Precedent
- A previous case or legal decision that guides future cases.
- Probation
- A court-ordered period of supervision instead of imprisonment.
- Pro Bono
- Legal work done voluntarily and without payment.
- Quash
- To reject or void a legal decision or subpoena.
- Retainer
- A fee paid in advance to secure the services of a lawyer.
- Statute
- A written law passed by a legislative body.
- Testimony
- A statement made under oath in court.
- Tort
- A civil wrong causing harm or loss that may lead to legal liability.
- Trust
- A legal arrangement where one party holds property for another’s benefit.
- Voir Dire
- The jury selection process in a trial.
- Acquittal
- A legal judgment that officially clears a defendant of criminal charges.
- Amicus Curiae
- A «friend of the court» who offers information or expertise in a case.
- Antitrust
- Laws designed to promote fair competition and prevent monopolies.
- Capital Offense
- A crime punishable by death under federal or state law.
- Chambers
- The private office of a judge, often used for informal hearings.
- Clemency
- Mercy or leniency granted by a governor or the president to a convicted person.
- Codicil
- A legal document that modifies an existing will.
- Common Law
- Law developed through judicial decisions rather than statutes.
- Compensatory Damages
- Money awarded to compensate for actual losses or injury.
- Concurrent Sentence
- Sentences served at the same time instead of one after the other.
- Conservatorship
- A court-appointed guardian to manage finances or personal care.
- Deed
- A legal document that shows ownership of property.
- Default Judgment
- A ruling in favor of one party due to the other party’s failure to respond.
- Defamation
- A false statement that harms someone’s reputation.
- Deliberation
- The jury’s process of discussing the facts to reach a verdict.
- Double Jeopardy
- Being tried twice for the same crime, which is prohibited by law.
- Equity
- Fairness in the application of justice, often used in civil cases.
- Escheat
- The reversion of property to the state when a person dies without heirs.
- Estoppel
- A legal rule preventing a person from going back on a previous promise.
- Ex Parte
- A legal proceeding brought by one party in the absence of another.
- Extradition
- The process of delivering a person from one jurisdiction to another for trial.
- Forensic
- Relating to the use of scientific methods in solving crimes.
- Garnishment
- A legal process where a portion of a debtor’s wages is withheld for repayment.
- Harassment
- Unwanted behavior that offends, humiliates, or intimidates someone.
- Heir
- A person legally entitled to inherit property upon someone’s death.
- In Camera
- A legal proceeding held in private, outside public view.
- In Loco Parentis
- Acting in the role of a parent, especially by legal authority.
- Inadmissible
- Evidence that cannot be considered by the court in a trial.
- Insolvency
- The inability to pay debts when due.
- Joinder
- The combining of legal claims or parties in a single lawsuit.
- Letters Testamentary
- A document issued by a probate court authorizing the executor of a will.
- Litigant
- A person involved in a lawsuit.
- Malfeasance
- Wrongdoing or misconduct by a public official.
- Mistrial
- A trial rendered invalid due to an error or jury problem.
- Nolo Contendere
- A plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment.
- Perjury
- Lying under oath in a legal proceeding.
- Prima Facie
- Evidence that is sufficient to prove a fact unless rebutted.
- Quorum
- The minimum number of members needed to conduct business legally.
- Recusal
- Removal of a judge or official due to potential bias or conflict of interest.
- Sanction
- A penalty or punishment imposed by the court.
- Sequestration
- Isolation of a jury from the public during a high-profile trial.
