Legal Terms Glossary A-Z

Last reviewed on April 27, 2026.

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.