Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury upon the person of another, when coupled with the present ability to do so, and any intentional display of force such as would give victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.
Attorney at law, lawyer, counselor at law.
The lawyer who represents a client and is entitled to receive all formal documents from the court or from other parties. Also known as counsel of record.
An advocate, counsel, or official agent employed in preparing, managing, and trying cases in the courts.
A private person (who is not necessarily a lawyer) authorized by another to act in his or her place, either for some particular purpose, as to do a specific act, or for the transaction of business in general, not of legal character. This authority is conferred by an instrument in writing, called a letter of attorney, or more commonly, a power of attorney.
To give authority or legal authenticity to a statute, record, or other written instrument.
The manipulation of an automobile and its parts for a specific purpose.
Money or other security (such as a bail bond) provided to the court to temporarily allow a person's release from jail and assure his or her appearance in court. Bail and Bond are often used interchangeably.
An obligation signed by the accused to secure his or her presence at the trial. This obligation means that the accused may lose money by not properly appearing for the trial. Often referred to simply as bond.
A person who is the liable party in paying the bond for the defendant's release from jail.
Bail that is kept by the court as a result of not following a court order.
An aggravated unlawful assault in which there is threat to do bodily harm without justification or excuse by use of any instrument calculated to do serious bodily harm or cause death.
A hearing established to re-evaluate the bail amount that was originally set for the accused.
A court officer who has charge of a court session in the matter of keeping order and has custody of the jury.
The state or condition of a person who is unable to pay his or her debts as they are or become due.
Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may be released from or “discharged” from their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings. The person with the debts is called the debtor and the people or companies to whom the debtor owes money to are called creditors.
1. Historically, the partition separating the general public from the space occupied by the judges, lawyers, and other participants in a trial. 2. More commonly, the term means the whole body of lawyers.
A state examination taken by prospective lawyers in order to be admitted and licensed to practice law.
Physical condition of a child indicating that external or internal injuries result from acts committed by a parent or custodian.
An offensive touching or use of force on a person without the person's consent.
An offensive touching or use of force on one's spouse without the spouse's consent. See BATTERY.
The seat occupied by judges in courts.
An assault committed with the intention of committing some additional crime.
A meeting either on or off the record at the judge's bench between the judge, counsel, and sometimes the defendant, out of the hearing of the jury.
The person to whom property rights or power are transferred by another, a grantee.
In tort law, a defense to a personal injury suit. The essence of an affirmative defense is that the plaintiff assumed the known risk of whatever dangerous condition caused the injury.
The time in a lawsuit when the complaining party has stated his or her claim and the other side has responded with a denial and the matter is ready to be tried.
Taking a person's property to satisfy a court-ordered debt.
An endeavor or effort to do an act or accomplish a crime, carries beyond preparation, but lacking execution.
To bear witness to, to affirm to be true or genuine, to certify.