AKA-Also known as. It is used to list aliases or another name,or another spelling of a name used
by a person.
Accelerated Rehabilitation- A program that gives persons charged with a crime or motor vehicle
for the first time a second chance. The person is placed on probation for up to two years. If
probation is completed satisfactorily,the charges are dismissed.
Action-Also may be called a case or lawsuit. A civil judicial proceeding where one party sues
another for a wrong done, or to protect a right or to prevent wrong.
Adjournment- Postponement of a court session until another time or place.
Adjudication-A decision or sentence imposed by a judge.
Adjudicatory Hearing- Juvenile court proceeding to determine whether the allegations made in a
petition are true and whether the child/youth should be subjects to orders of the court.
Adult Probation-A legal status,applied to people 16 years of age and older,who have been
convicted of a crime and placed under the supervision of a probation officer for a period of time
set by the court.
Affirmation-Declaring something to be true under the penalty of perjury by a person who will not
take an oath for religious or other reasons.
Affidavit-A written statement made under oath.
Alcohol Education Program-A pre-trial program for first time offender charged with driving a
motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Alimony-Money a court requires one spouse to pay the other spouse for support before and or
after the divorce is granted .Note if you do not ask for alimony at the final hearing,you may never
get it in the future.
Allegation-Saying that something is true. The assertion,declaration or statement of a party in a
case, made in a pleading.
Alternate Juror-A juror selected as a substitute in case another juror must leave the jury panel.
ADR- Any method used to resolve disputes other than traditional trial proceedings like
mediation. ADR programs speed up the disposition of civil cases.
Alternative Sanctions-Criminal punishment that is less restrictive than incarceration.
Annulment-A court order declaring that a marriage is invalid.
Answer-A court document,or pleading, in a civil case,by which the defendant responds to the
plaintiff's complaint.
Appeal-Asking a higher court to review the decision or sentence of a trial court because the
lower court made an error.
Appeal Bond-Money paid to the court while taking an appeal to cover costs and damages to the
other party,if the appeal is not successful.
Appellant-The party appealing a decision or judgement to a higher court.
Appellee-The party against whom an appeal is taken.
Arbitration-Submitting a case or dispute to designated parties for a decision ,instead of using a
judge.
Arraignment-The first court appearance of a person accused of a crime. The person is advised of
his or her rights by a judge and may respond to the criminal charges by entering a plea. Usually
happens the morning after a person is arrested.
Arrest-When a person is taken into custody by a police officer and charged with a crime.
Arrearages-Money for alimony and for child support,which is overdue and unpaid.
Attachment-A lien on property or other assets to hold it to pay or satisfy any final judgement.
Attorney of Record-Attorney whose name appears in the permanent records or files of a case.
Automatic Orders-Court orders that take effect when a divorce or custody case is started.
Bail-Also called Bond. Money or property given to the court for the temporary release of a
defendant,to ensure that the defendant will return to court.
Bail Bondsperson- A person who lends money to a defendant to pay for bail.
Bar-Refers to attorneys as a group.
Best Interest of the Child-The standard a judge uses to decide custody and visitation issues.
Bench Warrant-Court papers issued by the judge,"from the bench",for the arrest of a person.
Surety Bond-The court requires cash,real estate or a professional bail Bondsperson signature as
collateral before releasing the defendant back into the community. The court may allow the
defendant to post ten percent of the bond in cash to secure his or her release.
Bond Forfeiture-If the defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled,the judge may order  the
bond forfeited(paid to the state) and the defendant rearrested.
Brief-A written document prepared by a lawyer or party on each side of a dispute and filed with
the court in support of their arguments.
Capias Mittimus-A civil arrest warrant used to get a person physically into court to respond to a
specific case or claim.
Capital Felony-A criminal offense in which the death penalty may be imposed.
Case-A lawsuit or action in a court.
Case file-The court file containing papers submitted in a case.
Certify-To testify in writing;to make known or establish as a fact.
Challenge-Rejecting a potential juror.
Charge-Formal accusation of a crime.
Charge to jury-In trial practice, an address delivered by the court to the jury at the close of the
case instructing the jury as to what principles of law they are to apply in reaching a decision.
Child Support-Money paid by a parent to help meet the financial needs of a child.
Civil Action-A lawsuit other than a criminal case usually filed in a Judicial District courthouse.
These include divorces, child support, and small claims cases,although these are both
separately designated.
Claim- In civil cases,the statement of relief desired.
Common Law-Laws that develop through case decisions by judges. Not enacted by legislative
bodies.
Community Service-Work that convicted defendants are required to perform in order to repay
the community for the harm caused to the community by the crime.
Complaint-A legal document that tells the court what you want ,and is served with a summons on
the defendant to begin the case.
Conditional Discharge-A disposition,in criminal cases,where the defendant must satisfy certain
court-ordered conditions instead of a  prison term.
Contempt of Court-A finding that someone disobeyed a court order. Can also mean disrupting
court,for example,by being loud or disrespectful in court.
Continuance-The adjournment or postponement of a court case to another day.
Conviction-To be found guilty of committing a crime.
Costs-Expenses in prosecuting or defending a case in court. Usually does not include attorney's
fees.
Count-The different parts of a complaint ,which could each be a basis or grounds for the lawsuit.
Counter Claim-A claim by the defendant in a civil action that the defendant is entitled to damages
or other relief from the plaintiff.
Court-Appointed Attorney-An attorney who is asked by the court (judge) to either represent a
party to the case,or to serve in some other capacity that the case requires.
Court Clerk-The person who maintains the official court record of your case. The court clerks'
office receives all court papers and assigns hearing dates.
Court Interpreter-The person who translates court hearings from English to another language.
Provided at state expense in all criminal cases and in cases enforcing child support orders,If
requested.
Court Reporter- The person who records everything said during the court hearing on a
stenographer machine and prepares a written record for a fee,if requested.
Court trial-Trial by a judge,rather than by a jury.
Crime Victim Compensation Program-Awards money to crime victims and their families for
medical,mental health,dental,funeral expenses,lost wages and loss of support.
Cross-Examination- Questioning by a party or the attorney of an adverse party or a witness.
Custody- A court order deciding where a child will live and how decisions about the child will be
made. Parents may ask for any custody arrangement that they believe is in the best interest of
their child.
Damages-Money a party receives as compensation for a legal wrong.
Declaration-An  unsworn statement of facts made by a party to the transaction,or by one who has
an interest in the facts recounted.
Default-To fail to respond or answer to the plaintiff's claims by filing the required court
document;;usually an Appearance or an Answer.
Defendant -In civil cases,the person who is given court papers,also called a respondent. In
criminal cases,the person who is arrested and charged with a crime.
Deposition- Testimony of a witness taken,under oath,in response to another to another  party's
questions. Testimony given outside the courtroom, usually in a lawyers office. A word for word
account (transcript) is made of the testimony.
Discovery-A formal request by one party in a lawsuit to disclose information or facts known by
other parties or witnesses.
Dismissal-A judge's decision to end the case.
Dismissal Without Prejudice-A judges decision to end the case which permits the complainant or
prosecutor to renew the case later. In contrast,dismissal "with prejudice prevents the
complainant or prosecutor to bring or maintain the same claim or action again.
Dispose-Ending a legal case or a judicial proceeding.
Dissolution-The legal end of a marriage,also called a divorce.
Disposition-The manner in which a case is settled or resolved.
Diversionary Programs-Community based programs that are used to keep eligible, convicted
criminal offenders out of prison.
Docket-A list of cases scheduled to be heard in court on a specific day or week.
Docket Number- An unique number the court clerk assigns to a case. It must be used on all
future papers filed in the court case. Each docket number starts with two letters that tell the type
of case. CI-criminal infraction;CR-criminal case;CV-civil case;FA-family case;MI-motor vehicle
infraction; MV- motor vehicle;SC-small claims.
Domicile-The permanent home of a person. A person may have several residences,but only on
domicile.
Drug Court- A Special Session of the Superior court that is responsible for hearing cases
involving charges of drug offenses.
Education Program-A program for family violence offenders that,if granted and successfully
completed,results in dismissal of criminal charges.
Ejectment -A legal case filed against someone who is a holdover tenant (someone who remains
after the expiration of a lease).
Electronic Monitoring -An electronic system that provides the Probation Officer a report about
whether the offender has left home during the time when the offender was required to remain at
his or her home.
Emancipation-The release of a youth from the legal authority and control of his or her parents
and the corresponding release of the youth's parents from their obligations to the youth.
Emancipated Minor-A person under the legal age of 18 who is granted most rights and legal
privileges of an adult.
Eminent Domain-The legal process by which private property is taken for public use without the
consent of the owner.
Eviction-Legally forcing a tenant out of rented property.
Evidence-Testimony,documents or objects presented at a trial to prove a fact.
Ex Parte-Done for,or at the request of, one side in a case only,without prior notice to the other
side.
Execution Suspended-A prison sentence that is suspended in whole or in part provided certain
conditions of probation or conditional discharge are met by the defendant.
Family Support Magistrate-A person who decides cases involving child support and paternity.
Can also enforce court orders involving paternity,child support and alimony.
Family violence Victim Advocate- A person who works with domestic violence victims to
determine their needs and inform them of their rights and resources available to them.
Felony-Any criminal offense for which a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of
more than a year.
Felony Murder-A murder committed while the person is also committing a felony.
Filing-Giving the court clerk legal papers which become part of the case file.
Finding-The court's or jury's decision on issues of fact.
Foreclosure-A court order ending the legal ownership of property.
Foreman-An elected member of a jury who delivers the verdict to the court.
Garnishment-A court order to collect money or property . A garnishment may be issued to an
employer to pay part of an employee's wages to someone else to pay a debt or judgement.
Grievance-A complaint filed against an attorney or judge,claiming an injury or justice.
Guardian-A person who has the power and duty to take care of another person and /or to
manage the property and rights of another person, who is considered incapable of taking care of
his or her personal affairs.
Guardian Ad Litem-A person, usually a parent, appointed by the court to represent a child or
unborn person in a court case. If a family member is not available, a judge may appoint an
attorney.
Habeas Corpus-A court order used to bring a person physically before a court in order to test
the legality of the person's detention. Usually,it is directed to the official or person detaining
another,commanding him to bring the person to court for the judge to determine if that person
has been denied liberty without due process of law.
Hearsay-Testimony given by a witness who tells second or third hand information.
Honor Court-A program of outpatient group therapy for alcohol abusers.
Hung Jury-A jury whose members cannot reconcile their differences of opinion and thus cannot
reach verdict. Thanks For The Visit Raymond E Smith
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