A - C Terms Flashcards
Abatement of Nuisance
The removal of a nuisance
Acquittal
A release, absolution, or discharge of an obligation or liability. In criminal law the finding of not guilty.
Action
A proceeding in a court of law by which one party sues to secure the protection of a right or the prevention of a wrong.
Adjournment
Closing of open court usually for lunch, close of the day, or recess.
Adjudge
To pass on judicially, to decide, settle, decree: to sentence or condemn.
Adjudicate
To settle in the exercise of judicial authority. To determine finally.
Adjudication
The giving or pronouncing of a judgment or decree for one side or the other in a lawsuit.
Administrative
A governmental agency; a generic term which encompasses “board: and commission.”
Admonition
Oral advice by a judge or a jury or a defendant.
Affidavit
A written statement sworn to before a notary public or another person possessing authority to administer an oath.
Affirm
Make a formal declaration in place of an oath.
Agenda
List of cases scheduled for court appearance by date, time, and place of appearance; also called the court calendar.
Agent
A person appointed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to supervise U.S. government programs on a reservation and/or in a specific region
Alias
Called by another name, “also known as.”
Allegation
An assertion made by a party which must be proved or supported with evidence.
Allotment
A parcel of land or homstead assigned to an individual Indian, usually the head of a family, by the United States in an effort to replace communal property ownership with private property ownership. The title of the land is held in trust by the United States or it is given to the Indian with the condition that the land cannot be sold without the consent of the United States.
Amend
Improve, correct, or change.
Annuities
A sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals, resulting from a contact or agreement such as a treaty.
Annuity System
A payment procedure for land acquired from Indians that results in fixed periodic payments in cash, goods, or services for a term of years.
Annulment (of Marriage)
The voiding of a marriage, usually because of invalidity.
Answer
In pleading, a response to a complaint.
Appeal
Application to a higher court to right an injustice or correct an error of a lower court.
Appeal Bond
A sum of money posted by an appellant.
Appearance
Appearing in court as an attorney, a plaintiff, or a defendant in an action.
Appellant
One who ppeals a court decision; Sometimes used interchangeably with Petitioner.
Appellate
Having the power to hear appeals and to reverse court decisions; refers to a court of review rather than one with trial jurisdiction.
Appellate Court
A court having jurisdiction of appeal and review; a court to which causes are removable by appeal, certiorari, or error; a reviewing court, and except in special cases where original jurisdiction is conferred, not a “trial court” or court of first instance.
Arbitration
The hearing of a dispute by an impartial third person or persons (chosen by the parties), whose award the parties agree to accept as binding, or only as a nonbinding guide.
Arraign
In criminal practice. To bring a prisoner to the bar of the court to answer the matter charged upon him in the indictment.
Arraignment
Criminal defendant’s initial appearance in court held for the purpose of informing the defendant of the charges, allowing the defendant to state an answer to the charges, setting bail, and appointing an attorney, if necessary.