Legal dissolution of a marriage by a court. Also termed dissolution of marriage.

Specific factors that define a crime which the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction.

To willfully take or convert to one's own use, another's money or property, which the wrongdoer initially acquired lawfully, because of some office, employment, or some position of trust.

The power of the government to take private property for public use through condemnation.

All the judges of a court sitting together. Appellate courts can consist of a dozen or more judges, but often they hear cases in panels of three judges. If a case is heard or reheard by the full court, it is heard en banc.

To make greater in value, to increase.

An order by the court telling a person to stop performing a specific act.

The formal statement before the court that the accused admits committing the criminal act.

A defense to criminal charges alleging that agents of the government induced a person to commit a crime he or she otherwise would not have committed.

The guarantee in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that all persons be treated equally by the law.

An action which may be brought for the purpose of restraining the threatened infliction of wrongs or injuries, and the prevention of threatened illegal action.

A list of cases to be heard by a court, or a log containing brief entries of court proceedings.

Generally, justice or fairness. Historically, equity refers to a separate body of law developed in England in reaction to the inability of the common-law courts, in their strict adherence to rigid writs and forms of action, to consider or provide a remedy for every injury. The king therefore established the court of chancery to do justice between parties in cases where the common law would give inadequate redress. The principle of this system of law is that equity will find a way to achieve a lawful result when legal procedure is inadequate. Equity and law courts are now merged in most jurisdictions.

The process by which a deceased person's property goes to the state if no heir can be found.

Money or a written instrument such as a deed that, by agreement between two parties, is held by a neutral third party (held in escrow)  until all conditions of the agreement are met.

An estate consists of personal property (car, household items, and other tangible items), real property, and intangible property, such as stock certificates and bank accounts, owned in the individual name of a person at the time of the person's death. It does not include life insurance proceeds (unless the estate was made the beneficiary) or other assets that pass outside the estate (like joint tenancy assets).

Generally, a tax on the privilege of transferring property to others after a person's death. In addition to federal estate taxes, many states have their own estate taxes.

A person's own act, or acceptance of facts, which preclude his or her later making claims to the contrary.

Recovery of land or rental property from another by legal process.

Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.

Inferences drawn from proven facts.

Evidence in form of witness testimony, who actually saw, heard, or touched the subject of question.

The designation assigned to each case filed in a particular court. Also called a case number.

Evidence which can disappear relatively quickly, such as the amount of alcohol in a person's blood.

An assault committed by one member of a household against another.

The place where a person has his or her permanent legal home. A person may have several residences, but only one domicile.

The constitutional prohibition under the Fifth Amendment against a person being put on trial more than once for the same offense.

The unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In some jurisdictions it is synonymous with DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI), but in others, driving while intoxicated is a more serious offense than driving under the influence.

The operation of a vehicle in an impaired state after consuming alcohol that when tested is above the state's legal alcohol limit.

The right of all persons to receive the guarantees and safeguards of the law and the judicial process. It includes such constitutional requirements as adequate notice, assistance of counsel, the right to remain silent, the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to confront and secure witnesses.