Action, Case, Cause, Suit, Lawsuit
| These terms all refer to a proceeding in a court of law. |
Acquit
| To find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial. |
Affidavit
| A written or printed statement made under oath. |
Answer
| formal response made by the defendant, which admits or denies what is claimed by the plaintiff. |
Burden of Proof
| This term refers to which side is obligated to prove the facts of the case. |
Cause of Action
| A legal claim. |
Charge
| A formal accusation that someone has committed a criminal offense. |
Counterclaim
| A claim presented by the defendant in a civil case alleging that the plaintiff owes damages to the defendant. |
Cross-Examination
| An attorney's questioning of a witness called to testify by the other side in the case. |
Damages
| Compensation (usually monetary) awarded to someone who has suffered loss, detriment, or injury to their person, property, or rights. |
Deposition
| Sworn testimony taken and recorded outside the courtroom but according to the rules of the court. |
Evidence
| Any form of proof legally presented at a trial, including records, documents, photographs, and testimony of witnesses. |
Exhibit
| A paper, document, or other physical object presented to the court as evidence during a trial. |
Hearsay
| Statements made out of court by someone other than the person testifying in court, which are offered to prove a matter in court. |
Impeachment of a Witness
| An attempt to show that the testimony of a witness is not truthful, accurate, or reliable. |
Inadmissible
| Material or information that cannot be admitted or received as evidence under established rules of evidence. |
Indictment
| A written accusation by a grand jury charging someone with committing a crime. |
Leading Question
| A question that suggests to a witness the answer the attorney wants to hear. |
Litigant
| An individual who brings or defends a lawsuit. |
Motion
| A request made by an attorney for a ruling or an order by a judge on a particular issue. |
Perjury
| Lying under oath, which is a criminal offense. |
Plea
| Defendants' statements of "guilty" or "not guilty" to criminal charges made against them. |
Pleadings
| Formal, written allegations by both sides of their claims. |
Polling the Jury
| Asking jurors individually after the verdict has been read whether they agree with the verdict. |
Rebuttal
| The introduction of contradicting or opposing evidence. |
Search Warrant
| A written order issued by a judge or magistrate, directing a law enforcement officer to search a specific location for specific things or individuals. |
Stipulation
| An agreement by the attorneys that certain facts are true. Facts that have been stipulated do not need to be proven in the trial. |
Testimony
| Any statement made by a witness under oath. |
Tort
| An injury or wrong committed to someone else's person or property for which an injured party is requesting damages. |