Legal Glossary

The legal glossary is a comprehensive index of legal terms aimed at educating and helping consumers better understand some of the legal terminology and jargon that is often used in describing legal matters.

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To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.

Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.

A written account of all the acts and proceedings in a lawsuit.

When an appellate court sends a case back to a lower court for further proceedings. The lower court is often required to do something differently, but that does not always mean the court’s final decision will change

Makes a record of court proceedings, prepares a transcript, and publishes the court's opinions or decisions.

Money ordered to be paid by the defendant to the victim to reimburse the victim for the costs of the crime. Generally making good, or giving the equivalent for any loss, damage or injury caused by a persons actions. Often a condition of probation.

When an appellate court sets aside the decision of a lower court because of an error. A reversal is often followed by a remand. For example, if the defendant argued on appeal that certain evidence should not have been used at trial, and the appeals court agrees, the case will be remanded in order for the trial court to reconsider the case without that evidence.

Orders that a specific location be searched for items, which if found, can be used in court as evidence. Search warrants require probable cause in order to be issued.

The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime. Federal courts look to the United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines when deciding the proper punishment for a given crime.

To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.

The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.

Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

A conference between the judge and lawyers held out of earshot of the jury and spectators.

A description that a witness gives to the police and that the police write down.

A law passed by a legislature.

A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.

A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.

A command to a witness to produce documents.

A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when there is no dispute as to the facts of the case, and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.

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