Legal Terms Starting with P
Pardon
Executive act forgiving a crime and removing punishment, typically granted by the president or governor.
Criminal LawParole
Conditional release from prison before sentence completion, subject to supervision and compliance with terms.
Criminal LawPatent
Government-granted exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invention for a limited time period.
Intellectual PropertyPerjury
The crime of lying under oath in court or in sworn statements, knowing the testimony is false.
Criminal LawPlaintiff
The party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against the defendant.
Civil ProcedurePlea Bargain
A negotiated agreement where defendant pleads guilty to lesser charges in exchange for reduced sentencing.
Criminal ProcedurePower of Attorney
Legal authorization allowing one person to act on behalf of another in legal, financial, or medical matters.
Estate PlanningPrecedent
A prior court decision establishing a legal principle or rule applied to similar future cases.
Legal ResearchPreliminary Hearing
A proceeding where a judge determines if sufficient evidence exists to require defendant to stand trial.
Criminal ProcedurePrenuptial Agreement
A contract executed before marriage defining property rights and financial obligations in case of divorce or death.
Family LawPreponderance of Evidence
The burden of proof in civil cases requiring evidence to show a fact is more likely true than not.
Evidence LawPrima Facie
Latin for "at first sight" - evidence sufficient to establish a fact unless rebutted or disproven.
Evidence LawPrincipal
A person who authorizes another to act as their agent, or the primary participant in a crime.
Agency LawPrivilege
Legal protection from disclosure of confidential communications in certain relationships like attorney-client.
Evidence LawProbable Cause
Reasonable grounds to believe a crime was committed or evidence exists, required for warrants and arrests.
Criminal ProcedureProbate
The court process of validating a will and administering a deceased person's estate.
Estate PlanningProbation
Court-ordered period of supervision as alternative to or after incarceration, with conditions defendant must follow.
Criminal LawPromissory Note
A written promise to pay a specified amount of money to a designated party at a stated time.
Commercial LawProsecutor
A government attorney who represents the state in criminal proceedings and prosecutes defendants.
Criminal LawProximate Cause
The primary cause directly producing an injury or damage, establishing liability in negligence cases.
Tort LawProxy
Authorization for one person to vote or act on behalf of another, commonly used in corporate shareholder meetings.
Corporate LawPunitive Damages
Monetary awards exceeding actual damages, designed to punish egregious conduct and deter future wrongdoing.
Tort LawPartnership
A business relationship where two or more persons share ownership, profits, losses, and management responsibilities.
Business LawPetition
A formal written request to a court for specific action or relief, initiating certain legal proceedings.
Court ProcedurePlead
To formally respond to criminal charges or civil claims in court, or to argue a case before a tribunal.
Court ProcedurePersonal Injury
Personal injury is an area of civil law that allows a person who is harmed by another party's wrongful conduct to seek financial compensation for their losses.
Personal InjuryProduct Liability
Product liability is the area of law holding manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible for injuries caused by defective or unreasonably dangerous products.
Personal InjuryPremises Liability
Premises liability is the area of personal injury law that makes property owners and occupiers legally responsible for injuries caused by unsafe or dangerous conditions on their…
Premises LiabilityPain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is a category of non-economic damages that compensates an injured person for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by an injury.
Personal InjuryPaternity
Paternity is the legal recognition of a man as the father of a child, creating a legal parent-child relationship with corresponding rights and responsibilities.
Family LawPromissory Estoppel
Promissory estoppel is a legal doctrine that allows a court to enforce a promise even when it is not supported by consideration and would not otherwise form a binding contract.
Contract Law