Legal Terms Flashcards
Arbitration
the hearing and settlement of a dispute between opposing parties by a third party whose decision the parties have agreed to accept
Aquit
To find defendant not guilty
Bench Warrant
Process issued by the court or “from the bench” for the attachment or arrest of a person
Brief
a legal document, prepared by an attorney, which presents the law and facts supporting his clients
Corpus Delicti
the body or material substance upon which crime has been committed; e.g., the corpse of a murdered person or the charred remains of a burned house
Docket
book containing entries of all proceedings in court
Due Process
constitutional guarantee that an accused person receives a fair and impartial trial
Felony
a serious criminal offense for which the min. sentence is one year.
Indictment
written accusation of a grand jury charging a crime
Judgement
final determination by a court
Litigant
person or group engaged in a lawsuit
Misdemeanor
Criminal offense that is less than a felony and punishable by less than a year in jail
Probable Cause
reasonable belief that a crime has been committed; the basis for all lawful searches
Subpoena
a written legal notice requiring a person to appear in court and give testimony or produce documentary evidence
Writ
a written court order directing a person to perform or refrain from performing a specific act
Writ of Mandamus
an order issued by a court of superior jurisdiction commanding performance of a particular act by an inferior court or public official.
Writ of Appeal
the supreme courts acceptance of a case for reviews as a matter of right, where court feels it has no choice
Writ of Certiorari
The Supreme Court’s acceptance of a case for review at the discretion of four justices
Writ of Habeas Corpus
An order by a judge to have an accused person brought from prison to the court to determine if their detention was arbitrary
