Standard of proof commonly used in civil lawsuits and in regulatory agency cases. It governs the amount of proof that must be offered in order for the plaintiff to win the case.

1. Property that is pledged as security against a debt. 2. A person belonging to the same ancestral stock (a relation), but not in a direct line of descent.

An attack on a judgment other than a direct appeal to a higher court.

A person who directs a commission; a member of a commission. The officer in charge of a department or bureau of a public service.

1. To execute, perpetrate, or carry out an act. To commit a crime. 2. To send a person to prison, asylum, or reformatory by a court order.

1. The action of sending a person to a penal or mental institution. 2. The order directing an officer to take a person to a penal or mental institution.

A court order directing that an individual be kept in custody, usually in a penal or mental facility.

The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.

Property owned in common by husband and wife each having an undivided one-half interest by reason of their marital status. For example, the earnings of one spouse during the marriage do not belong solely to that spouse; the earnings are community property.

The reduction of a sentence, such as from death to life imprisonment.

A legal doctrine by which acts of the opposing parties are compared to determine the liability of each party to the other, making each liable only for his or her percentage of fault. See also CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE.

Act of grace or mercy by the president or governor to ease the consequences of a criminal act, accusation, or conviction. It may take the form of commutation or pardon.

Mental capacity of a person, especially with regard to his or her ability to stand trial and to assist counsel in his or her defense.

The party who complains or sues; one who applies to the court for legal redress. Also called the plaintiff.

The legal document that usually begins a civil lawsuit. It states the facts and identifies the action the court is asked to take. 2. Formal written charge that a person has committed a criminal offense.

To act in accordance with, to accept, to obey.

A picture of an alleged criminal created by a professional police artist using verbal descriptions given by the victim or a witness.

A form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties bring their dispute to a neutral third party, who helps lower tensions, improve communications, and explore possible solutions. Conciliation is similar to mediation, but it may be less formal.

The jurisdiction of two or more courts, each authorized to deal with the same subject matter.

Sentences for more than one crime that are to be served at the same time, rather than one after the other. See also CUMULATIVE SENTENCES.

The legal process by which the government takes private land for public use, paying the owners a fair price. See EMINENT DOMAIN.

A release from custody which imposes regulations on the activities and associations of the defendant. If a defendant fails to meet the conditions, the release is revoked.

Officer of the court who files pleadings, motions, judgments, etc., issues process, and keeps records of court proceedings.

Voluntary statement made by one who is a defendant in a criminal trial, which, if true, discloses his or her guilt.

The closing statement, by counsel, to the trier of facts after all parties have concluded their presentation of evidence.

A collection, compendium, or revision of laws, rules, and regulations enacted by legislative authority.

Body of federal or state law dealing with procedural aspects of trial for criminal cases.

The CFR is the annual listing of executive agency regulations published in the daily Federal Register, and the regulations issued previously which are still in effect. The CFR contains regulatory laws governing practice and procedure before federal administrative agencies.

The rules of conduct that govern the legal profession. The Code contains general ethical guidelines and specific rules written by the American Bar Association.

An amendment to a will.