A person with legal skills, but who is not an attorney, and who works under the supervision of a lawyer or who is otherwise authorized by law to use those legal skills.
A prison or place of confinement where convicted felons are sent to serve out the term of their sentence.
A state, for example, the People of the State of New York.
The right to challenge a juror without assigning a reason for the challenge.
A false statement given while under oath or in a sworn affidavit.
A court order requiring that some action be taken, or that some party refrain from taking action. It differs from forms of temporary relief, such as a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.
One who lives in a location for a period of time and denotes it as their official address or residence.
Juvenile found to have committed a status offense rather than a crime that would provide a basis for a finding of delinquency. Typical status offenses are habitual truancy, violating a curfew, or running away from home. These are not crimes, but they might be enough to place a child under supervision. In different states, status offenders might be called children in need of supervision or minors in need of supervision. See STATUS OFFENDERS.
Tangible physical property (such as cars, clothing, furniture, and jewelry) and intangible personal property. This does not include real property such as land or rights in land.
Pre-trial release based on the person's own promise that he or she will show up for trial (no bond required). Also referred to as release on own recognizance or ROR. See ON A PERSON'S OWN RECOGNIZANCE.
The person who administers an estate. If named in a will, that person's title is an executor . If there is no valid will, that person's title is an administrator.
A form of executive clemency preventing criminal prosecution or removing or extinguishing a criminal conviction.
The ordinary jury of twelve (or fewer) persons for the trial of a civil or criminal case. So called to distinguish it from the grand jury.
A formal, written application to the court requesting judicial action on some matter.
The person filing an action in a court of original jurisdiction. Also, the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court. The opposing party is called the respondent.
An offense for which the authorized penalty does not exceed imprisonment for 3 months or a fine of $500.
The act of taking and carrying away the personal property of another of a value usually below $100.00 with the intent to deprive the owner or possessor of it permanently.
To obtain customers for a whore or prostitute. One who obtains customers for a whore or prostitute.
A person who initiates a lawsuit against another. Also called the complainant.
In a criminal proceeding, it is the defendant's declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty. The defendant's answer to the charges made in the indictment or information.
The process whereby the accused and the prosecutor in a criminal case work out a mutually satisfactory disposition of the case subject to court approval. Usually involves the defendant's pleading guilty to a lesser offense or to only one.
The written statements of fact and law filed by the parties to a lawsuit.
Supervised release of a prisoner before the expiration of his or her sentence.
The act, after a jury verdict has been announced, of asking jurors individually whether they agree with the verdict.
Oral or verbal evidence rather than written. The Parole Evidence Rule limits the admissibility of parole evidence which would directly contradict the clear meaning of terms of a written contract.
A person, business, or government agency actively involved in the prosecution or defense of a legal proceeding.
A government grant giving an inventor the exclusive right to make or sell his or her invention for a term of years.
Fatherhood.
Punishment, civil or criminal, generally referring to payment of money.
Begun, but not yet completed. Thus, an action is pending from its inception until the rendition of its final judgment.