Legal Terms A - J

Question 1

acquittal

Answer 1

a jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction

Question 2

active judge

Answer 2

a judge in the full-time service of the court

Question 3

admissible

Answer 3

a term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases

Question 4

adversary proceeding

Answer 4

a lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that begins by filing a complaint with the court or a “trial” that takes place within the context of a bankruptcy case

Question 5

affidavit

Answer 5

a written or printed statement made under oath

Question 5

affidavit

Answer 5

a written or printed statement made under oath

Question 5

affidavit

Answer 5

a written or printed statement made under oath

Question 6

affidavit

Answer 6

a written or printed statement made under oath

Question 6

affidavit

Answer 6

a written or printed statement made under oath

Question 6

affidavit

Answer 6

a written or printed statement made under oath

Question 7

affirmed

Answer 7

in the practice of the court of appeals, means that the court of appeals has concluded that the lower court decision is correct and will stand as rendered by the lower court

Question 8

alternate juror

Answer 8

a juror selected in the same manner as a regular juror who hears all of the evidence but does not help decide the case unless called on to replace a regular juror

Question 9

amicus curiae

Answer 9

an individual who is not a party to the legal case, but is permitted to assist a court by offering information, expertise, and insight

Question 10

answer

Answer 10

the formal written statement by a defendant in a civil case that responds to a complaint, articulating the grounds for defense

Question 11

appeal

Answer 11

a request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct

Question 12

appellant

Answer 12

the party who appeals a district court’s decision, usually seeking reversal of that decision

Question 13

appellee

Answer 13

the party who opposes an appellant’s appeal, and who seeks to persuade the appeals court to affirm the district court’s decision

Question 14

appellate

Answer 14

a court that has the power to review the judgement of a lower court

Question 15

arraignment

Answer 15

a proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty

Question 16

Article III judge

Answer 16

a federal judge who is appointed for life, during “good behavior”. Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate

Question 17

assets

Answer 17

property of all kinds, including real and personal, tangible and intangible

Question 18

assume

Answer 18

an agreement to continue performing duties under a contract or lease

Question 19

automatic stay

Answer 19

an injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments, and most collection activities against the debtor the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed

Question 20

bail

Answer 20

the release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime