A parent's or custodian's act of leaving a child without adequate care, supervision, support, or parental contact for an excessive period of time. Also, the desertion of one spouse by the other with the intent to terminate the marriage relationship.

A formal charge against a person, to the effect that he has engaged in a punishable offense.

The generic name for the defendant in a criminal case.

1. A statement of acceptance of responsibility. 2. The short declaration at the end of a legal paper showing that the paper was duly executed and acknowledged.

To legally certify the innocence of one charged with a crime. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, burden or accusation. To find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial.

In criminal law, a finding of not guilty. In contract law, a release, absolution, or discharge from an obligation, liability, or engagement.

Case, cause, suit, or controversy disputed or contested before a court of justice.

To determine finally.

Giving or pronouncing a judgment or decree. Also the judgment given.

1. One who administers the estate of a person who dies without a will. 2. A court official.

Pertinent and proper to be considered in reaching a decision.

A suit which has been quashed and ended.

Evidence that can be legally and properly introduced in a civil or criminal trial.

Voluntary acknowledgment of the existence of certain facts relevant to the adversary's case.

To advise or caution. For example the Court may caution or admonish counsel for wrong practices.

To take into one's family the child of another and give him or her the rights, privileges, and duties of a child and heir.

The trial method used in the U.S. and some other countries. This system is based on the belief that truth can best be determined by giving opposing parties full opportunity to present and establish their evidence, and to test by cross-examination the evidence presented by their adversaries. All this is done under the established rules of procedure before an impartial judge and/or jury.

A person who makes and signs an affidavit.

A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths. For example, in criminal cases, affidavits are often used by police officers seeking to convince courts to grant a warrant to make an arrest or a search. In civil cases, affidavits of witnesses are often used to support motions for summary judgment.

Without denying the charge, the defendant raises circumstances such as insanity, self-defense, or entrapment to avoid civil or criminal responsibility.

In the practice of appellate courts, the word means that the decision of the trial court is correct.

One who has authority to act for another.

A summary of a larger work, wherein the principal ideas of the larger work are contained.

An attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causing such injury, or an attempt to cause or purposely or knowingly cause bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.

A short, abbreviated form of the case as found in the record.

A chronological summary of all official records and recorded documents affecting the title to a parcel of real property.

A person who aids or contributes in the commission of a crime.

One who knowingly, voluntarily, and intentionally unites with the principal offender in the commission of a crime. A partner in a crime.

A satisfaction agreed upon between the parties in a lawsuit which bars subsequent actions on the claim.

A method of discharging a claim upon agreement by the parties to give and accept something in settlement of the claim.