Legal Terms And Definitions9 min read
Legal Terms and Definitions
Arraignment – The formal reading of criminal charges against a defendant in a court of law.
Bail – The release of a defendant from custody, under certain conditions, pending trial.
Bench trial – A trial in which the judge serves as the finder of fact, as opposed to a jury trial.
Brief – A written argument submitted to a court in support of one side of a legal case.
Case law – The collection of court decisions that interpret and apply the law.
Civil law – The body of law that governs private disputes between individuals or organizations.
Common law – The body of law that is based on custom, precedent, and judge-made law.
Complaint – The initial pleading in a civil lawsuit, filed by the plaintiff, that sets forth the factual and legal basis for the claim.
Conviction – A judgment of guilty in a criminal case.
Court order – A directive from a court, issued in the form of a written or oral decision.
Criminal law – The body of law that governs crimes and criminal punishment.
Cross-examination – The questioning of a witness by the opposing party in a trial.
Damages – Money awarded by a court to a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit to compensate for losses suffered as a result of the defendant’s actions.
Defendant – The party accused of committing a crime or sued in a civil action.
Deposition – The taking of sworn testimony from a witness, outside of a courtroom, before trial.
Discovery – The process by which parties in a lawsuit exchange information and documents related to the case.
Eminent domain – The power of the government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner.
Evidence – Information presented in court to support or oppose a claim.
Exhibit – A document or object introduced as evidence in a trial.
Findings of fact – The conclusions of a judge or jury about the facts of a case, as opposed to the law.
Habeas corpus – A legal action through which a person can challenge the legality of their detention or imprisonment.
Indictment – A formal charge of a crime, issued by a grand jury.
Jury – A group of citizens who hear the evidence in a criminal trial and decide the defendant’s guilt or innocence.
Lawyer – A person who is licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction.
Motion – A formal request to a court for an order or ruling.
Opinion – A judge’s written explanation of a decision in a case.
Plea – The defendant’s answer to the criminal charges against them, either guilty or not guilty.
Pleading – A formal written statement filed with a court, setting out the facts and legal arguments in a case.
Precedent – A court decision that is used as a legal authority in subsequent cases.
Prosecution – The government’s legal case against the defendant.
Trial – A judicial proceeding in which evidence is presented and a decision is made.
Table of Contents
What are legal terms?
What are legal terms?
Legal terms are words and phrases that have a specific meaning in law. They are used in legal documents and in court proceedings.
Some of the most common legal terms are:
– plaintiff: the person who brings a legal case against another person or organisation
– defendant: the person or organisation against whom a legal case is brought
– contract: an agreement between two or more people or organisations
– bail: money or other security that is deposited with a court to ensure that a defendant appears in court when required
– perjury: lying under oath
What are phrases used in court?
There are a variety of phrases that are commonly used in court. The following are some of the most common:
1. “I plead the Fifth.”
This phrase is often used when a person does not want to answer a question, as they may fear that they may incriminate themselves. This phrase comes from the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects citizens from self-incrimination.
2. “Objection!”
This phrase is used when a person wants to object to a question or statement. It can be used to challenge the relevancy of a question, the accuracy of a statement, or the manner in which it was asked.
3. “Sustained.”
This phrase is used to indicate that an objection has been accepted by the court.
4. “Motion to suppress evidence.”
This phrase is used when a person wants to argue that evidence should not be admitted into court because it was obtained illegally.
5. “Hearsay.”
This phrase is used to describe a statement that is being presented in court, but is not being offered as evidence by the person who made the statement. Hearsay is often inadmissible in court, as it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement.
Where can I find law definitions?
There are a variety of places where you can find law definitions. The best place to start is the law dictionary. This is a comprehensive source of legal definitions and can be found at most law libraries. The dictionary contains both common and legal terms, and can be a great resource for understanding the legal meanings of words.
Another great source for law definitions is the internet. There are a number of websites that offer legal definitions, and many of them are searchable. You can also find legal dictionaries on the internet that offer more comprehensive definitions than what you would find in a law dictionary.
If you need to find a specific definition, it’s often helpful to search online for the phrase “legal definition of _____.” This will give you a list of websites that offer definitions for that particular term.
When looking for law definitions, it’s important to remember that not all sources are created equal. Be sure to check the source of the definition to make sure that it is accurate and up-to-date.
What is a good in legal terms?
What is a good in legal terms?
A good is anything that has value and that can be the subject of a contract. In legal terms, a good can be either a movable or an immovable asset. Movable assets are things that can be moved from one place to another, such as a car or a piece of furniture. Immovable assets are things that cannot be moved, such as land or a building.
In order for a good to be the subject of a contract, both parties must agree on what the good is and what its value is. The parties must also agree on how the good will be transferred from one person to another. For example, if two people want to enter into a contract for the sale of a car, they must first agree on what the car is worth and on the terms of the sale. The parties must also agree on who will take possession of the car once the sale is complete.
What are the 4 types of law?
There are four types of law: criminal law, civil law, administrative law, and constitutional law.
Criminal law is the body of law that governs crime and punishment. It includes the prosecution of criminals, the defense of those accused of crimes, the punishment of criminals, and the rehabilitation of criminals.
Civil law is the body of law that governs disputes between private individuals or organizations. It includes the law of contracts, torts, and property.
Administrative law is the body of law that governs the activities of government agencies. It includes the law of regulation, licensing, and permits.
Constitutional law is the body of law that governs the relationship between the government and the people. It includes the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states.
What are the 3 types of court?
There are three types of court systems in the United States: federal, state, and local.
The federal court system is the national court system. It has jurisdiction over cases involving the United States Constitution, federal laws, and treaties. The federal court system includes the United States Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
The state court system is the court system of each of the 50 U.S. states. State courts have jurisdiction over cases involving state law. State court systems include trial courts and appellate courts.
Local court systems are the court systems of individual cities, counties, and other political subdivisions. Local courts have jurisdiction over cases involving local law. Local court systems include trial courts and appellate courts.
What should you not say to a judge?
When you are in a courtroom, it is important to remember that you are in the presence of a judge. This person is in charge and you should show them the respect they deserve. There are a few things you should never say to a judge, even if you are upset or angry.
1. “You’re not following the law!”
Judges are familiar with the law and they are following it. If you have a complaint about their ruling, address it through the appropriate channels.
2. “I’m going to call my lawyer!”
This is a threat and it is not appropriate in a courtroom. If you have a complaint, state it calmly and politely.
3. “You’re biased!”
Judges are not biased and they will not be swayed by personal opinions.
4. “This is ridiculous!”
Judges do not make rulings that are ridiculous. If you feel that a ruling is unfair, address it in a respectful manner.
5. “You’re an idiot!”
This is not only disrespectful, but it is also inappropriate. Judges are intelligent people and they will not appreciate being insulted.
When you are in a courtroom, it is important to remember that you are in the presence of a judge. This person is in charge and you should show them the respect they deserve. There are a few things you should never say to a judge, even if you are upset or angry.
1. “You’re not following the law!”
Judges are familiar with the law and they are following it. If you have a complaint about their ruling, address it through the appropriate channels.
2. “I’m going to call my lawyer!”
This is a threat and it is not appropriate in a courtroom. If you have a complaint, state it calmly and politely.
3. “You’re biased!”
Judges are not biased and they will not be swayed by personal opinions.
4. “This is ridiculous!”
Judges do not make rulings that are ridiculous. If you feel that a ruling is unfair, address it in a respectful manner.
5. “You’re an idiot!”
This is not only disrespectful, but it is also inappropriate. Judges are intelligent people and they will not appreciate being insulted.
