Here you can find an ever-updating list of legal terms and phrases:


-    The PLAINTIFF of a case is the person who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint in court.

-    The DEFENDANT of a case is the party who is defending their innocence or whom the lawsuit/case is brought against.

-    A CONTRACT is a legally binding document/agreement between two or more parties, obligating each one to do or not do certain things.

-    DAMAGES is a compensation that a court may order a defendant to pay to a plaintiff to cover the plaintiff's losses or injuries.

-    DISCOVERY is the pre-trial process where parties gather information relevant to the case and their argument.

 

-    WRIT OF MANDAMUS is a court order directing a lower court or government official to perform a mandatory duty they have neglected or refused to do.

 

-    MANSLUAGHTER is the crime of killing a human being without malice.

 

-    OVERREACH is when a state or body of the government eccesively uses their power.

 

-    BALANCE OF POWER is the system of checks and balances used by the government to ensure that no one branch of goverment becomes too powerful.

 

-    PLEA DEAL is a legal agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or a reduced sentence, avoiding a full trial.

 

-   PLAINTIFF - The person or party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against another party.

 

-    DEFENDANT - The person or party being sued or accused in a legal proceeding.

 

-    PROSECUTION - The legal party responsible for presenting the case against a defendant in a criminal trial, typically representing the government.

 

-    DEFENSE - The defendant's response to criminal or civil charges, or the legal team representing the defendant.

 

-    VERDICT - The formal decision or finding made by a jury or judge on the matters submitted during a trial.

 

-    TESTIMONY - A formal statement given by a witness under oath, either in court or through a deposition.

 

-    SUBPOENA - A legal document ordering someone to attend court as a witness or to produce documents or evidence.

 

-    BAIL - Money or property deposited with the court to ensure a defendant returns for trial after being released from custody.

 

-    ARRAIGMENT - The court proceeding where a defendant is formally charged and enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

 

-    PLEA BARGAIN - An agreement between the prosecution and defense where the defendant pleads guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.

 

-    DISCOVERY - The pre-trial process where both parties exchange information and evidence relevant to the case.

 

-    OBJECTION - A formal protest raised by an attorney during trial to challenge the admissibility of evidence or a question.

 

-    SUSTAINED - When a judge agrees with an objection and rules that the evidence or question is not allowed.

 

-    OVERRULED - When a judge disagrees with an objection and allows the evidence or question to proceed.

 

-    HEARSAY - Second-hand testimony or evidence presented by someone who did not directly witness or experience the event in question, generally inadmissible in court.

 

-    ADMISSABLE - Evidence or testimony that meets legal standards and can be presented in court.

 

-    DEPOSITION - Out-of-court sworn testimony given by a witness or party during the discovery phase, recorded for later use in trial.

 

-    AFFIDAVIT - A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court.

 

-    PRECEDENT - A legal principle or rule established in a previous case that guides decisions in similar future cases.

 

-    STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS - The time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed or criminal charges must be brought.

 

-    BURDEN OF PROOF - The obligation to present evidence to support one's claim; in criminal cases, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

-    CROSS-EXAMINATION - The questioning of a witness by the opposing party's attorney after direct examination.

 

-    MISTRIAL - A trial that is terminated before its normal conclusion due to a fundamental error or extraordinary circumstance.

 

-    ACQUITTAL - A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they were charged.

 

-    APPEAL - A request to a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.

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-    REASONABLE DOUBT  is the highest burden of proof in a criminal trial, meaning the prosecution must present evidence so convincing that the jury has no other logical explanation for the facts presented.

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-     LIABILITY – Legal responsibility for one’s acts or omissions; being held legally accountable for harm or damage caused.

 

-    ALOGRITHMIC RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM – Though technological in nature, in legal contexts it refers to the automated process under scrutiny for potentially constituting an “act” that could incur liability.

 

-    CAUSE OF ACTION – The specific legal right or claim that gives a person the ability to bring a lawsuit.

 

-    HOLDING – The court’s legal determination or ruling on the central issue(s) of a case, forming part of the binding precedent.

 

-     TAKINGS CLAUSE – The portion of the Fifth Amendment that prohibits the government from taking private property for public use without just compensation.

 

-     JUST COMPENSATION – The fair market value that must be paid to a property owner when the government takes private property for public use.

 

-     PROPERTY RIGHTS – The legal rights to possess, use, and dispose of land or possessions, protected under both state and federal law.

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 -   ORIGINAL JURISDICTION – The authority of a court (like the Supreme Court in some state disputes) to hear a case first, before any other court.

 

-    APPELLATE JURISDICTION – The authority of a higher court to review and possibly revise the decision of a lower court.

 

-     LOWER COURT – Any court subordinate to a higher appellate or supreme court that first hears and rules on cases.

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 -   CONSTITUTIONAL CLAIM – A legal argument asserting that a government action or law violates a right or principle protected by the Constitution.

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