Term | Main definition |
---|---|
Courtroom Clerk | The clerk is the person responsible for filing papers and keeping records of what happens in the courthouse. |
Crime | An act forbidden by law and punishable by fine, probation, imprisonment or death. |
Decedent | A person who died |
Decide | To give a decision. |
Default | A failure of the defendant to file the right papers within the time allowed or to appear in court during a scheduled hearing. |
Defendant | The person or entity sued in a civil case or accused in a criminal case. |
Delinquent Act | An act committed by a juvenile that if committed by an adult would be a crime. |
Dependency | A relationship in which one depends on another for support in whole or in part. |
Deportation | The formal removal of a person from the United States when they have been found to have violated immigration laws. |
Deposition | A deposition is the testimony of a witness or party to a suit, given before trial, under oath, and recorded, just as if it were given in court. |
Directed Verdict | After evidence has been presented and if no issue of fact remains for the jury to determine, the judge must direct a verdict for the party entitled to prevail. |
Discovery | The pretrial process by which one entity becomes aware of the evidence gathered by the other entity. |
Dismissal | An agreement to terminate all or part of a lawsuit. |
Divorce | The ending of a marriage by court order. |
Domestic Relations | Area of law dealing primarily with family issues such as divorce, child support, custody and visitation. |
Electronic Signature | An electronic method or process that through the application of a security procedure allows a determination that the electronic signature at the time it was executed was all of the following:
An electronic signature is an electronic symbol, usually /s/, followed by a typed name. For example, “/s/ John Doe,” is an electronic signature. The /s/ symbol means that the individual whose typed name appears next to it or below it intended that the typed name be treated as an original signature. An electronic signature is attached to a paper filed with the Clerk of the Court by the self-represented litigant or a judge of court. |
Eviction | Legal action that takes land, a residence, or property from the temporary resident and back into the possession of the owner or landlord. |
Ex Parte | Latin phrase for relief that is sought (and may be granted) without notice to the opposing person. Commonly used in obtaining an order of protection. |
Exonerate | To be released or cleared of charges, to acquit |
FARE | Fines/Fees and Restitution Enforcement Program is a collection program for the courts. |