Legal Terms Glossary A-Z

Over 500 legal terms defined in plain English

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Most Searched Legal Terms

Statute of Limitations Time limit for filing a lawsuit after an event Deposition Sworn testimony given outside of court Power of Attorney Legal authority to act on someone's behalf Bankruptcy Legal process for debt relief Probate Court process for distributing an estate Negligence Failure to exercise reasonable care

Showing 500+ terms

A

Abandonment Voluntary relinquishment of rights or property Abatement Reduction or elimination of a penalty or debt Abstract of Title Summary of property ownership history Acquittal Finding of not guilty in a criminal case Affidavit Written statement made under oath Alimony Financial support paid to ex-spouse after divorce Appeal Request for higher court to review a decision Arbitration Dispute resolution outside of court Arraignment First court appearance in criminal case Arrest Taking someone into custody by law enforcement Assault Threat or attempt to cause physical harm

B

Bail Money paid for release from jail before trial Bankruptcy Legal process to eliminate or repay debts Battery Unlawful physical contact or harm Beneficiary Person who receives benefits from will or trust Breach of Contract Failure to fulfill contract obligations Burden of Proof Obligation to prove allegations in court

C

Child Custody Legal rights and responsibilities for a child Child Support Financial payments for child's needs Civil Law Legal disputes between individuals or entities Class Action Lawsuit filed by group with similar claims Contingency Fee Lawyer paid only if case is won Contract Legally binding agreement between parties Conviction Finding of guilty in criminal case Copyright Legal protection for creative works Court Order Command issued by a judge Criminal Law Laws dealing with crimes against society

D

Damages Money awarded for losses or injuries Defendant Person being sued or accused of a crime Deposition Sworn testimony given outside court Discovery Process of exchanging evidence before trial Divorce Legal termination of a marriage Due Process Fair treatment through judicial system DUI Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

E

Easement Right to use another's property Embezzlement Theft of funds by person in position of trust Eminent Domain Government power to take private property Estate Planning Arranging for distribution of assets after death Evidence Information used to prove facts in court Executor Person who manages estate after death Expungement Removal of criminal record from public view

F

Felony Serious crime punishable by over one year in prison Fiduciary Person with duty to act in another's best interest Foreclosure Legal process to take property for unpaid debt Fraud Intentional deception for personal gain

G

Garnishment Court order to take money from wages or accounts Grand Jury Group that decides whether to issue indictment Guardian Person legally responsible for another Guilty Finding of criminal responsibility

H

Habeas Corpus Right to challenge unlawful detention Harassment Unwanted conduct that creates hostile environment Hearing Legal proceeding before a judge Hearsay Out-of-court statement offered as evidence

I

Immigration Process of moving to another country Immunity Protection from legal liability Indictment Formal criminal charge by grand jury Injunction Court order to do or stop doing something Intellectual Property Creations of the mind protected by law Interrogatories Written questions in lawsuit discovery

J

Joint Custody Shared parental rights and responsibilities Judgment Final court decision in a case Jurisdiction Court's authority to hear a case Jury Group that decides facts in trial

L

Lawsuit Legal action brought in court Liability Legal responsibility for actions or debts Lien Legal claim against property for debt Litigation Process of taking legal action

M

Malpractice Professional negligence causing harm Mediation Dispute resolution with neutral third party Misdemeanor Crime punishable by less than one year in jail Miranda Rights Rights read to person being arrested Motion Request for court to make a decision

N

Negligence Failure to exercise reasonable care Notary Public Official who witnesses signatures

P

Personal Injury Physical or emotional harm from another's actions Plaintiff Person who files a lawsuit Plea Bargain Agreement to plead guilty for reduced charges Power of Attorney Authority to act on another's behalf Probate Court process for distributing estate Probation Supervised release instead of jail time

R

Restraining Order Court order to stay away from someone Restitution Payment to victim for losses

S

Settlement Agreement to resolve case without trial Statute of Limitations Time limit for filing legal action Subpoena Order to appear in court or provide evidence Summary Judgment Court decision without full trial

T

Tort Civil wrong causing harm or loss Trust Legal arrangement for managing assets

V

Verdict Jury's decision in a trial Visitation Right to spend time with child

W

Warrant Court authorization for arrest or search Will Document stating wishes after death Workers Compensation Benefits for work-related injuries Wrongful Death Death caused by another's negligence

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.