Legal Terms Starting with J
Joint and Several Liability
Legal responsibility where each defendant is liable for the full amount of damages, allowing plaintiff to collect from any or all.
Tort LawJoint Custody
Shared parental rights and responsibilities for a child after divorce or separation, including legal and physical custody.
Family LawJoint Venture
A business arrangement where two or more parties collaborate on a specific project while maintaining separate identities.
Business LawJudge
A public official with authority to preside over legal proceedings, interpret law, and make binding decisions.
Court SystemJudgment
A court's final decision resolving a legal dispute and establishing the rights and obligations of parties.
Civil ProcedureJudicial Review
The power of courts to examine laws and government actions to determine their constitutionality.
Constitutional LawJurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear cases and make legal decisions over specific geographic areas or subject matters.
Court ProcedureJurisprudence
The philosophy, theory, and study of law, or a body of judicial precedents and legal principles.
Legal TheoryJury
A group of citizens sworn to hear evidence and determine facts in a legal proceeding, rendering a verdict.
Trial PracticeJury Instructions
Directions given by a judge to the jury explaining applicable law and how to apply it to case facts.
Trial PracticeJust Compensation
Fair market value payment required when government takes private property through eminent domain.
Constitutional LawJusticiable
A dispute appropriate for judicial resolution, involving actual controversy rather than hypothetical or abstract issues.
Court ProcedureJuvenile Court
A specialized court handling cases involving minors accused of crimes or requiring protection services.
Criminal LawJeopardy
The danger of conviction and punishment that a criminal defendant faces when placed on trial.
Criminal ProcedureJudgment Proof
A defendant with insufficient assets to satisfy a money judgment, making collection effectively impossible.
Civil LitigationJudicial Notice
A court's acceptance of a fact as true without requiring formal proof, because it is commonly known or easily verified.
Evidence LawJunior Lien
A claim against property subordinate to senior liens, receiving payment only after higher-priority creditors are satisfied.
Real EstateJury Nullification
A jury's decision to acquit despite evidence of guilt, based on disagreement with the law or its application.
Criminal ProcedureJoinder
The combination of multiple parties or claims in a single lawsuit to promote efficiency and avoid inconsistent results.
Civil ProcedureJoint Tenants
Co-owners of property who hold equal shares with right of survivorship passing to surviving owners upon death.
Property Law