To seize or take private property for public use (the police confiscated the weapon).

A legally enforceable agreement between two or more competent parties made either orally or in writing.

A legal doctrine that says if the plaintiff in a civil action for negligence also was negligent, he or she cannot recover damages from the defendant for the defendant's negligence. Most jurisdictions have abandoned the doctrine of contributory negligence in favor of comparative negligence .

Any of the drugs whose production and use are regulated by law, including narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

1. A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence for that crime; a prison inmate. 2. To find a person guilty of an offense by either a trial or a plea of guilty.

A judgment of guilty following a verdict or finding of guilty, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere.

Public official charged with duty to make inquiry into the causes and circumstances of any death which occurs through violence or suddenly, with marks of suspicion.

To support with evidence or authority; make more certain.

Supplementary evidence that tends to strengthen or confirm the initial evidence.

Confirmation or support of a witness' statement or other fact.

An allowance for expenses in prosecuting or defending a suit. Ordinarily this does not include attorney fees.

1. A real or seeming incompatibility between one's private interests and one's public or fiduciary duties. 2. A real or seeming incompatibility between the interests of two of a lawyer's clients, such that the lawyer is disqualified from representing both clients if the dual representation adversely affects either client or if the clients do not consent.

A legal representative, attorney, lawyer.

The physical location where the defense and prosecuting parties are seated throughout the duration of the trial.

Each of the allegations of an offense listed in a charging document.

A claim presented by a defendant in a civil lawsuit against the plaintiff. In essence, a counter lawsuit within a lawsuit.

To forge, to copy or imitate, without authority or right, and with the purpose to deceive or defraud, by passing off the copy as genuine.

A building or structure used to house alleged criminals and/or convicted criminals of local area crimes.

1. A unit of the judiciary authorized to decide disputed matters of fact, cases or controversies. 2. Figuratively, the judge or judicial officer. Judges sometimes use "court" to refer to themselves in the third person, as in "the court has read the briefs."

An officer appointed by the Court or elected to oversee the administrative, non-judicial activities of the court.

A defense attorney designated by the court to represent a defendant who does not have the funds to retain an attorney.

The expenses of prosecuting or defending a lawsuit, other than the attorneys' fees. An amount of money may be awarded to the successful party (and may be recoverable from the losing party) as reimbursement for court costs.

Successive sentences, one beginning at the expiration of another, imposed against a person convicted of two or more violations.

A court in which the proceedings are recorded, transcribed, and maintained as permanent records.

Legal right given to a person to manage the property and financial affairs of a person deemed incapable of doing that for himself or herself. (Conservators have somewhat less responsibility than guardians. See also guardianship. )

The cause, price, or impelling influence which induces a party to enter into a contract.

An agreement by two or more persons to commit an unlawful act; in criminal law, conspiracy is a separate offense from the crime that is the object of the conspiracy.

A right guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution, interpreted by the federal courts; also, a right guaranteed by some other constitution (such as a state constitution).

The finding of the court that an act was committed with the intent of embarrassing the court, disobeying its lawful orders, or obstructing the administration of justice in some way.

The adjournment or postponement of a session, hearing, trial, or other proceeding until a future date.