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Legal Terms Everyone Should Know

Common legal vocabulary from US courts and contracts. General education, not legal advice.

97 cardsGrades 9–12, College, Adult#law#legal#courts

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  • PlaintiffTerm
    The person or party who starts a civil lawsuit
  • DefendantTerm
    The person or party being sued or accused
  • ProsecutorTerm
    Lawyer who brings criminal charges for the government
  • Defense attorneyTerm
    Lawyer who represents the accused
  • JudgeTerm
    Official who presides over a court
  • JuryTerm
    Group of citizens who decide the facts of a case
  • Grand juryTerm
    Jury that decides whether there is enough evidence to bring charges
  • Petit juryTerm
    Trial jury that decides a case
  • VerdictTerm
    A jury's or judge's decision on a case
  • SentenceTerm
    The punishment ordered after conviction
  • Civil lawTerm
    Law about disputes between private parties
  • Criminal lawTerm
    Law about offenses against society
  • FelonyTerm
    A serious crime, usually punishable by more than a year in prison
  • MisdemeanorTerm
    A less serious crime
  • InfractionTerm
    A minor violation, like a traffic ticket
  • StatuteTerm
    A law passed by a legislature
  • Common lawTerm
    Law developed from court decisions
  • PrecedentTerm
    An earlier ruling that guides later cases
  • JurisdictionTerm
    A court's authority to hear a case
  • VenueTerm
    The location where a case is heard
  • AppealTerm
    Asking a higher court to review a decision
  • AppellantTerm
    The party who appeals
  • AppelleeTerm
    The party who responds to an appeal
  • Burden of proofTerm
    The duty to prove a claim
  • Beyond a reasonable doubtTerm
    The standard of proof in criminal cases
  • Preponderance of the evidenceTerm
    The usual civil standard: more likely than not
  • Clear and convincing evidenceTerm
    A standard higher than preponderance but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt
  • EvidenceTerm
    Information presented to prove or disprove facts
  • TestimonyTerm
    Statements given under oath
  • HearsayTerm
    An out-of-court statement offered for its truth, generally restricted as evidence
  • WitnessTerm
    Person who gives testimony
  • SubpoenaTerm
    A court order to appear or produce documents
  • DepositionTerm
    Sworn testimony taken outside court
  • AffidavitTerm
    A written statement sworn to be true
  • OathTerm
    A solemn promise to tell the truth
  • PerjuryTerm
    Lying under oath
  • ObjectionTerm
    A lawyer's formal protest against a question or evidence
  • SustainedTerm
    Judge agrees with an objection
  • OverruledTerm
    Judge rejects an objection
  • PleaTerm
    A defendant's formal answer to charges
  • Plea bargainTerm
    An agreement to plead guilty for a lighter outcome
  • ArraignmentTerm
    Hearing where charges are read and a plea entered
  • IndictmentTerm
    Formal charge issued by a grand jury
  • BailTerm
    Money or bond to secure release before trial
  • ProbationTerm
    Supervised release instead of prison
  • ParoleTerm
    Early supervised release from prison
  • AcquittalTerm
    Finding that a defendant is not guilty
  • ConvictionTerm
    A finding or plea of guilty
  • MistrialTerm
    A trial ended without a verdict due to a serious problem
  • Hung juryTerm
    A jury unable to reach a decision
  • Double jeopardyTerm
    Being tried twice for the same crime, generally prohibited
  • Miranda rightsTerm
    Warnings police give about the right to remain silent and have a lawyer
  • Search warrantTerm
    Court order allowing police to search a place
  • Probable causeTerm
    Reasonable grounds to believe a crime has occurred
  • Due processTerm
    Fair legal procedures required by law
  • Habeas corpusTerm
    A court order to bring a detained person before a judge
  • TortTerm
    A civil wrong causing harm
  • NegligenceTerm
    Failure to take reasonable care, causing harm
  • LiabilityTerm
    Legal responsibility
  • DamagesTerm
    Money awarded to compensate for harm
  • Punitive damagesTerm
    Money awarded to punish wrongdoing
  • InjunctionTerm
    A court order to do or stop doing something
  • SettlementTerm
    An agreement resolving a dispute without a trial
  • Summary judgmentTerm
    A ruling without a full trial when facts are not in dispute
  • Class actionTerm
    A lawsuit brought on behalf of a large group
  • ContractTerm
    A legally enforceable agreement
  • OfferTerm
    A proposal to make a contract
  • AcceptanceTerm
    Agreement to the terms of an offer
  • ConsiderationTerm
    Something of value exchanged in a contract
  • Breach of contractTerm
    Failing to perform as promised
  • Statute of limitationsTerm
    Deadline for bringing a lawsuit
  • VoidTerm
    Having no legal effect
  • VoidableTerm
    Valid unless canceled by one party
  • LibelTerm
    Written false statement harming reputation
  • SlanderTerm
    Spoken false statement harming reputation
  • DefamationTerm
    False statement that damages a reputation
  • CopyrightTerm
    Legal protection for original creative works
  • TrademarkTerm
    Protection for brand names and logos
  • PatentTerm
    Exclusive right to an invention for a time
  • Intellectual propertyTerm
    Creations of the mind protected by law
  • WillTerm
    Document stating how property goes after death
  • EstateTerm
    All property a person owns
  • ProbateTerm
    Court process to validate a will and distribute an estate
  • IntestateTerm
    Dying without a valid will
  • ExecutorTerm
    Person named to carry out a will
  • TrustTerm
    Arrangement where one holds property for another's benefit
  • Power of attorneyTerm
    Legal authority to act on another's behalf
  • GuardianTerm
    Person appointed to care for someone unable to care for themselves
  • EasementTerm
    Right to use another's land for a purpose
  • DeedTerm
    Document transferring property ownership
  • LienTerm
    Claim on property as security for a debt
  • MortgageTerm
    Loan secured by real estate
  • LandlordTerm
    Owner who rents property
  • TenantTerm
    Person who rents property
  • Eminent domainTerm
    Government's power to take private property for public use with compensation
  • Pro bonoTerm
    Legal work done for free for the public good
  • Pro seTerm
    Representing oneself in court

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