Life partner – A legally recognized relationship between two unmarried people living together in a “committed relationship.” Disclaimer – Any statement used to specify or limit the scope of obligations and rights that are enforceable in a legally recognized relationship (e.g., host/visitor, manufacturer/consumer, etc.). Suit – A lawsuit brought by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a claim that the defendant failed to comply with a legal obligation, causing harm to the plaintiff. Discovery – Lawyers` review of facts and documents in opponents` possession prior to trial to help lawyers prepare for trial. Pre-trial conference – A meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss issues that should be submitted to the jury, to review the evidence and witnesses, to establish a schedule, and to discuss the resolution of the case. Statement – A description given by a witness to the police and written by the police. Disability – In the legal sense, legal incapacity to perform an act. Used in a physical sense in relation to workers` compensation laws and consists of (a) actual inability to perform employment duties and resulting loss of wages, and (b) physical impairments that may or may not be unable to work. Misdemeanor – Generally a misdemeanor, a less serious felony than a crime punishable by less than one year in prison. Probable cause – Many suspicions that lead to certain facts being likely to be true.

The Fourth Amendment requires a probable reason for issuing an arrest or search warrant. Plea Deal (or Plea Bargain or Accord) – An agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor in which the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a concession from the prosecutor. These may include less serious charges, a dismissal of charges, or the prosecutor`s recommendation to the judge to lighten the sentence. Crime – A crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Death benefits – Benefits paid to survivors when a workplace injury results in death. Direct evidence – Usually eyewitness accounts. Contrary to circumstantial evidence. De Novo – A De Novo trial is a new trial of a case. Common Law – The legal system that originated in England and is now used in the United States.

It is based on judicial decisions and not on laws passed by the legislature. Pre-trial detention – When an appeals court refers a case to a lower court for a new hearing. The lower court often has to do something different, but that doesn`t always mean the court`s final decision will change the plea – in a criminal case, the defendant pleads “guilty” or “not guilty” in open court. An objection from Nolo Contendere or an Alford objection may also be raised. An admission of guilt allows the accused to waive a trial. Affidavit – A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party who made it. Affidavits must be notarized or administered by a court officer with that authority. Journalist – Records hearings, creates a transcript and publishes court opinions or decisions. Objection – A lawyer`s protest challenging a statement or question at trial. Common objections include a lawyer who “directs the witness” or a witness who makes a statement by hearsay.

Once an objection has been made, the judge must decide whether or not to admit the question or explanation. Sentencing – The sentence ordered by a court for an accused who has been convicted of a crime. Federal courts follow the direction of the U.S. Sentencing Commission when deciding on the appropriate sentence for a particular crime. Pleadings – Written statements by parties in civil proceedings concerning their positions. In federal courts, the main means are complaint and response. Declaratory judgment – Judicial decision on the rights of the parties in a dispute to clarify the legal positions of the parties. Summary Judgment – A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented without trial.

It is used when the facts are not disputed and a party is entitled to a judgment under the law. Settlement – The parties to a dispute settle their dispute without dispute. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party to satisfy the other party`s claims. brief – A formal written instruction issued by the court that requires the performance of a specific act. Discovery – A pre-trial process in which a party discovers the evidence on which it relies in the proceedings. Testimony – The testimony of a witness under oath, but not in a courtroom. Can be used to uncover evidence before trial or to preserve witness statements for later use in court. Duty to rescue – The duty a person has to another person with whom they have a special relationship in order to save that person when they are in danger. tort – A civil injustice or breach of duty to another person, as determined by law. A very common crime is the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, which results in property damage and bodily injury in a car accident. Factum – A written statement submitted by each party`s lawyer in a case explaining to the judge(s) why they should decide the case (or a specific part of a case) in favour of that lawyer`s client. Defendant – The party against whom a complaint is filed or the person accused of committing a crime.

Oral hearing – An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court through an appeal process and answer questions from judges. Counterclaim – A claim made by a defendant against a plaintiff. Counterclaims can often be made in the same procedure as the claimant`s claims. Plaintiff – The person who files the complaint in a civil action. Search warrant – Ordering that a specific place be searched for items that, if found, can be used as evidence in court. Search warrants require a valid reason. Grand jury – A panel of citizens who hear evidence of criminal charges presented by the government and determine whether there are probable reasons to believe the crime was committed. As used in federal criminal cases, “the government” refers to lawyers in the U.S. Attorney`s Office who are pursuing the case. Trial before a grand jury is closed to the public and the person suspected of having committed the crime is not allowed to be present or have a lawyer present. States are not required to appoint grand juries, but the federal government must do so under the Constitution.

Injunction – A court order prohibiting (or enforceing) the performance of a specific action to prevent irreparable harm. Depositor – The person who testifies in a statement. Dicta – plural of “obiter dictum”. A comment made by a judge in a legal opinion that is not relevant to the decision and does not set a precedent. Exhibit – Physical evidence or documents presented in legal proceedings. Common exhibits include contracts, weapons, and photographs. Direct examination – The first examination of witnesses by the party on whose behalf they are called. Duty to disclose – An obligation owed by a seller to a buyer that requires the seller to answer honestly all questions the buyer has about the item sold by the seller. Defective Product – Any product that injures a person due to incorrect labeling, design defect, or improper manufacturing.

Motion – An attempt to have a limited case heard in court.