#separator:tab #html:false #tags column:4 Plaintiff The person or party who starts a civil lawsuit tp-law-terms Defendant The person or party being sued or accused tp-law-terms Prosecutor Lawyer who brings criminal charges for the government tp-law-terms Defense attorney Lawyer who represents the accused tp-law-terms Judge Official who presides over a court tp-law-terms Jury Group of citizens who decide the facts of a case tp-law-terms Grand jury Jury that decides whether there is enough evidence to bring charges tp-law-terms Petit jury Trial jury that decides a case tp-law-terms Verdict A jury's or judge's decision on a case tp-law-terms Sentence The punishment ordered after conviction tp-law-terms Civil law Law about disputes between private parties tp-law-terms Criminal law Law about offenses against society tp-law-terms Felony A serious crime, usually punishable by more than a year in prison tp-law-terms Misdemeanor A less serious crime tp-law-terms Infraction A minor violation, like a traffic ticket tp-law-terms Statute A law passed by a legislature tp-law-terms Common law Law developed from court decisions tp-law-terms Precedent An earlier ruling that guides later cases tp-law-terms Jurisdiction A court's authority to hear a case tp-law-terms Venue The location where a case is heard tp-law-terms Appeal Asking a higher court to review a decision tp-law-terms Appellant The party who appeals tp-law-terms Appellee The party who responds to an appeal tp-law-terms Burden of proof The duty to prove a claim tp-law-terms Beyond a reasonable doubt The standard of proof in criminal cases tp-law-terms Preponderance of the evidence The usual civil standard: more likely than not tp-law-terms Clear and convincing evidence A standard higher than preponderance but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt tp-law-terms Evidence Information presented to prove or disprove facts tp-law-terms Testimony Statements given under oath tp-law-terms Hearsay An out-of-court statement offered for its truth, generally restricted as evidence tp-law-terms Witness Person who gives testimony tp-law-terms Subpoena A court order to appear or produce documents tp-law-terms Deposition Sworn testimony taken outside court tp-law-terms Affidavit A written statement sworn to be true tp-law-terms Oath A solemn promise to tell the truth tp-law-terms Perjury Lying under oath tp-law-terms Objection A lawyer's formal protest against a question or evidence tp-law-terms Sustained Judge agrees with an objection tp-law-terms Overruled Judge rejects an objection tp-law-terms Plea A defendant's formal answer to charges tp-law-terms Plea bargain An agreement to plead guilty for a lighter outcome tp-law-terms Arraignment Hearing where charges are read and a plea entered tp-law-terms Indictment Formal charge issued by a grand jury tp-law-terms Bail Money or bond to secure release before trial tp-law-terms Probation Supervised release instead of prison tp-law-terms Parole Early supervised release from prison tp-law-terms Acquittal Finding that a defendant is not guilty tp-law-terms Conviction A finding or plea of guilty tp-law-terms Mistrial A trial ended without a verdict due to a serious problem tp-law-terms Hung jury A jury unable to reach a decision tp-law-terms Double jeopardy Being tried twice for the same crime, generally prohibited tp-law-terms Miranda rights Warnings police give about the right to remain silent and have a lawyer tp-law-terms Search warrant Court order allowing police to search a place tp-law-terms Probable cause Reasonable grounds to believe a crime has occurred tp-law-terms Due process Fair legal procedures required by law tp-law-terms Habeas corpus A court order to bring a detained person before a judge tp-law-terms Tort A civil wrong causing harm tp-law-terms Negligence Failure to take reasonable care, causing harm tp-law-terms Liability Legal responsibility tp-law-terms Damages Money awarded to compensate for harm tp-law-terms Punitive damages Money awarded to punish wrongdoing tp-law-terms Injunction A court order to do or stop doing something tp-law-terms Settlement An agreement resolving a dispute without a trial tp-law-terms Summary judgment A ruling without a full trial when facts are not in dispute tp-law-terms Class action A lawsuit brought on behalf of a large group tp-law-terms Contract A legally enforceable agreement tp-law-terms Offer A proposal to make a contract tp-law-terms Acceptance Agreement to the terms of an offer tp-law-terms Consideration Something of value exchanged in a contract tp-law-terms Breach of contract Failing to perform as promised tp-law-terms Statute of limitations Deadline for bringing a lawsuit tp-law-terms Void Having no legal effect tp-law-terms Voidable Valid unless canceled by one party tp-law-terms Libel Written false statement harming reputation tp-law-terms Slander Spoken false statement harming reputation tp-law-terms Defamation False statement that damages a reputation tp-law-terms Copyright Legal protection for original creative works tp-law-terms Trademark Protection for brand names and logos tp-law-terms Patent Exclusive right to an invention for a time tp-law-terms Intellectual property Creations of the mind protected by law tp-law-terms Will Document stating how property goes after death tp-law-terms Estate All property a person owns tp-law-terms Probate Court process to validate a will and distribute an estate tp-law-terms Intestate Dying without a valid will tp-law-terms Executor Person named to carry out a will tp-law-terms Trust Arrangement where one holds property for another's benefit tp-law-terms Power of attorney Legal authority to act on another's behalf tp-law-terms Guardian Person appointed to care for someone unable to care for themselves tp-law-terms Easement Right to use another's land for a purpose tp-law-terms Deed Document transferring property ownership tp-law-terms Lien Claim on property as security for a debt tp-law-terms Mortgage Loan secured by real estate tp-law-terms Landlord Owner who rents property tp-law-terms Tenant Person who rents property tp-law-terms Eminent domain Government's power to take private property for public use with compensation tp-law-terms Pro bono Legal work done for free for the public good tp-law-terms Pro se Representing oneself in court tp-law-terms