Legal Terminology L-O

Question 1

landmark/benchmark decision

Answer 1

particularly important holding/ruling that affects large segments of society; establishes or changes important new legal principles

Question 2

lay witness

Answer 2

non-expert witness that cannot give opinions, only facts as they saw/experienced them

Question 3

lien

Answer 3

legal right or claim on specific property which attaches to the property until the debt is satisfied

Question 4

limited jurisdiction

Answer 4

a court may consider only certain matters

Question 5

mechanic’s lien

Answer 5

statutory claim created to ensure payment to contractors and suppliers on construction projects

Question 6

minutes

Answer 6

chronological record/recap of court proceedings

Question 7

mistrial

Answer 7

the throwing out of a case due to an inability of the jury to reach a verdict or when certain technical violations of court rules are deemed to be of such significance as to threaten a possible miscarriage of justice

Question 8

mitigating circumstances

Answer 8

considerations that decrease a sentence imposed in criminal cases under sentencing guidelines

Question 9

motion

Answer 9

application made for some action to be taken or ruling made by a court

Question 10

motion in limine

Answer 10

motion filed by a party to a lawsuit which asks the court for an order/ruling limiting/preventing certain evidence from being presented by the other side at the trial of the case

Question 11

motion to compel

Answer 11

motion requiring a party to comply with some court ruling

Question 12

nonjusticiable

Answer 12

an issue a court simply cannot entertain

Question 13

nonsuit

Answer 13

an action which is insufficient on its face to permit trial

Question 14

oath

Answer 14

a witness’s formal promise to tell the truth while testifying

Question 15

official record

Answer 15

the transcript of court proceedings exhibits and all physical evidence

Question 16

on all fours

Answer 16

cases or court decisions whose underlying facts are similar

Question 17

opening statement

Answer 17

introductory remarks made by an attorney at the start of trial

Question 18

opinion testimony

Answer 18

testimony provided by expert witnesses who have special expertise and are qualified to consider hypothetical situations to aid the court’s understanding

Question 19

original jurisdiction

Answer 19

no court, other than the specific one holding original jurisdiction, may initially consider the matter in question

Question 20

own recognizance

Answer 20

a defendant in a criminal case who is released from custody not by posting bond but on his simple promise to appear in court as required