Legal Self Help Center Glossary of Legal Terms

Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A
Action: An action is an ordinary proceeding in a court of justice, by which a party prosecutes another party for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense. The two kinds of actions are civil and criminal. An action may also be referred to as a lawsuit or case.
Adjourn: The judge will decide when to adjourn (end) the court proceeding
Adjudication: Making a judgment. Used in the context of juvenile court. The court finds that it is proven that a juvenile committed a delinquent act
Admissible Evidence: Evidence that the court allows to be introduced at trial
Affidavit: A written statement of fact made under oath in front of an authorized officer. The affidavit must be signed in the presence of a notary public by the individual making the statement
Agent: Person authorized to act on behalf of another person
Allegation: Statement of claimed fact and is only an allegation until it is proven
Amendment: To make changes to a document that has already been filed with the court
Answer: The written response by a Defendant to a complaint
Appeal: The review of a decision of a lower court by a higher court. E.g. The Supreme Court would review a decision by the District Court
Arraignment: In a criminal case, the Defendant is advised of the charges and enters a plea of guilty or not guilty
Authentication of Evidence: The party submitting the evidence must demonstrate that it is authentic, or true
B
Bad Faith: Dishonesty or fraud such as entering into an agreement with no intent to ever living up to the terms of the agreement
Bailiff: A court attendant who keeps order in the courtroom and to see to the needs of the jury
Bench: The desk at the front of the courtroom where the judge sits
Bench Trial: A trial where there is no jury and the judge determines the facts, law and the winner of the lawsuit or trial
Beneficiary: Person who receives money or property in a will. Person who benefits from a trust
Bequest: A gift in a will
Breach: Where a person fails to perform as they have agreed. They commit a breach of the agreement or contract
Brief: Written document filed by a party where the party presents the facts, law and argument of how the facts apply to the law
C
Cause of Action: The legal grounds a party relies on to get a verdict against an opponent
Challenge for Cause: During a jury trial, a party can ask the court to excuse any juror that they believe are too biased to be fair and impartial or for some reason can’t perform their duties as a juror
Chambers: The private office of a judge
Children:
Abuse: When a person responsible for the welfare of a child under 18 years willfully inflicts or allows someone to inflict physical or mental injury to that child
Delinquent: A child under 18 years who has committed an act, which if committed by an adult would be a criminal offense
Deprivation: When a person responsible for the welfare of a child under 18 years fails to provide proper care or control, subsistence or education as required by law. (See statute for more complete definition)
Neglect: Neglect and deprived may be used interchangeably
Unruly: A child under 18 years who is habitually and without justification absent from school; disobedient of the lawful commands of parents or guardians; or commits an offense only applicable to a child
Circumstantial Evidence: Evidence that is indirect. That implies something occurred but does not directly prove it
Civil Action: A civil action is any action other than a crimninal action. A civil action may also be referred to as a civil lawsuit or a civil case.
Clerk of Court: Administrative part of the Court that maintains the Court’s records. All documents that are required to be “filed” are filed with this office
Closing Argument: At the end of a trial a person can summarize the evidence and argue to the judge or jury how the case should be decided
Complaint: Criminal – formal written charge that a person committed a criminal offense. Civil – document from the plaintiff which states the claims against the defendant
Conservator: A person appointed by the court to make financial decisions for a protected person
Contempt of Court: Acts that the judge finds to have been committed in a willful violation of the court’s authority or to interfere with or obstruct the administration of justice
Continuance: A grant by the court for an extension of time
Counsel: Attorneys are sometimes referred to as counsel
Court Recorder: Person who records testimony during a court proceedings
Court Reporter: Person who by shorthand or stenograph takes down testimony during court proceedings
Cross-examination: After a person’s direct questioning of his/her witness the other side can ask questions about the topics covered during direct questioning
Criminal Action: A criminal action is one prosecuted by the state as a party against a person charged with a public offense for the punishment thereof.
D
Damages: The money that can be recovered in the court by the plaintiff for their loss or injury due to the defendant’s violation of the law
Default: Defendant who was served with a Complaint but does not Answer may be found in default
Default Judgment: If the Defendant does not file an Answer and is found in default the judge may find for the plaintiff
Defendant: The parties the plaintiffs claim injured them in violation of law (civil) The party that is accused of committing a crime (criminal)
Defenses: The reasons defendants give for why plaintiffs’ claims against them should be dismissed
Deposition: An oral question/answer session that occurs before trial and outside the courtroom. One party to a lawsuit asks another person who is under oath questions about issues raised in the lawsuit
Direct Examination: When a party at trial calls their witness and asks them questions
Discovery: Formal court process where a party asks the other party or non-party for information. Discovery methods include depositions, interrogatories, requests for documents, etc. (Rules regarding Discovery are covered in ND Rules of Evidence)
Docket: The file maintained by the court for each case. It lists every document filed with the Clerk of Court
Domicile: The permanent residence of a person
E
Evidence: Testimony or exhibits offered at trial for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of an allegation
Ex Parte Motion: Motion that is filed without giving notice to the opposing party
Ex Parte: Contact with the judge without giving notice to the other party and without the other party present. You have approached the judge “ex parte”
Exhibits: Documents or other materials presented as evidence at trial
Expert Witness: Person who has scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge that can help the court or jury understand the evidence
F
Felony: A crime of a serious nature
Filing: Bringing or sending pleadings, motions or briefs to the Clerk of Court’s office and asking that they be filed
Filing Fee: An amount of money, set by law, that a party must pay when filing a documents in an action
Findings of Fact And Conclusions of Law: After a trial or after hearing all of the evidence a judge writes this explaining what facts the judge found to be true and the legal consequences of those facts. These go along with the judge’s written judgment
Fraud: A false representation of fact on which a person relied and that reliance injures that person
Frivolous: Unworthy of serious consideration
G
Garnishment: The act of taking a person’s wages to satisfy a judgment
General Jurisdiction: A court of general jurisdiction is one that has the authority to hear all kinds of cases. State District Courts are courts of general jurisdiction
Good Faith: Acting in good faith means having honesty of intentions. E.g. negotiating in good faith means negotiating with an open mind and a sincere desire to reach an agreement
Guardian: A person appointed by the court to make personal decisions for a protected person
Guardian Ad Litem: A person appointed by the court to look after the interests of a minor or juvenile
H
Hearing: A hearing resembles a trial but is more relaxed. A hearing is generally held in a courtroom and is open to the public. It is a formal meeting of the parties for the purpose of resolving some of the issues before the court
Heirs: Persons who are entitled to inherit property of the deceased
Heresay: Heresay is a statement made by someone other than the person repeating it. E.g. a person swearing that they were told by another that the parties reached an agreement would be heresay. (See ND Rules of Evidence 801 for a definition of heresay and also see Rule 803 and 804 for exceptions to the heresay Rule)
I
Impeachment: Challenging the accuracy of evidence. A witness may be impeached by questioning the witness to show that he or she is not telling the truth
Inadmissible: Something, under established rules of evidence, that cannot be admitted or received into evidence
Incompetent Person: A person who lacks legal capacity to do something, such as testify, due to age or mental deficiency
Indigent: Needy, poor, impoverished. A defendant in a criminal case that can show this need may be appointed an attorney at public expense
Issue: A disputed question of fact
J
Judgment: A written order of the judge’s decision or the jury’s verdict and the remedies, if any, that are ordered
Jury Selection: The process by which a jury is chosen. Usually this includes questioning by the attorney/parties and/or the judge. This is also known as voir dire
Jury Trial: Group of citizens that decide the factual issues in a case. The jury weighs the evidence presented by the parties, decides which evidence to believe, and determines what they believe happened. A judge instructs the jury on the law and the jury applies the law to the facts that they have found and then determines who wins the case.
K
L
Litigants: The plaintiff and the defendant both are referred to as the parties or the litigants in the lawsuit
Living Will: Also known as a medical directive or advance directive. It is a written document that states a person’s wishes regarding life-support and other medical treatment, usually when death is imminent
Leading Question: A question that suggests to the witness a desired answer
M
Malicious: Intentionally harmful or spiteful
Material Fact: A fact that is significant or important in a case
May: Generally indicates "optional" and a matter of discretion.
Mediation: A process where a trained neutral third party assists disputing parties to reach their own solution
Minor: A minor is a person who has not reached full legal age. For most purposes, a minor is someone under the age of eighteen (18)
Misdemeanor: A lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or jail time for up to one year
Motion: A motion is a request to the Court to issue an order for a specific purpose. E.g. Motion for Continuance
Motion For Summary Judgment: This asks the Court to decide the case without a trial because there are no material facts in dispute
Motion to Amend Judgment: Either party can make this motion to amend the judgment if a mistake was made in the judgment that should be corrected
Motion to Dismiss: This is usually filed by the Defendant to ask the Court to dismiss part or all of the complaint if there are legal problems with how it is written, filed or served
Moving Party: Party who files a motion is the moving party
N
Notary Public: Public officer who is authorized by the state or federal government to administer oaths and to attest to the authenticity of signatures
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing is filed with the motion. It informs all parties in the lawsuit what kind of motion is being filed and the hearing date for the motion and the location of the hearing if one is scheduled.
O
Opening Statement: At the beginning of a trial, each party has an opportunity to make an opening statement. The opening statement generally describes the issues in the case and states what the party expects to prove during trial
Opposing Party: Generally, the party you are suing or are defending against is called the opposing party
Objection: An objection is a protest about the legal propriety of a question. Objections are made verbally at hearings or trials
Oral Argument: The verbal presentation of a lawyer or pro se party, make to the judge in a court hearing in support of his or her position
Overrule an Objection: If an objection is made by a party and the judge disagrees with the objection, the judge has “overruled” the objection and the question can be answered or the evidence can be admitted
P
Parties: The plaintiffs and the defendants are referred to as the parties or the litigants in the lawsuit
Perjury: A person is guilty of perjury if they make a statement under oath that they know to be untrue of false
Personal Service: Delivery of the summons and complaint (or other court document) directly to the person named on the summons and complaint (or other court document)
Plaintiff: The person who files the civil lawsuit with the Court
Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant’s statement of “guilty” or “not guilty” in answer to the charges
Pleading: A pleading is a written document stating the facts supporting a legal claim or defense. The most common pleadings are the complaint and answer
Power of Attorney: A document giving a person the right or authority to make binding decisions for another
Probate: Generally includes all matters and proceedings pertaining to the administration of estates, guardianships, etc. It is also a court procedure where a will is proved to be valid or invalid
Pro Bono: If a lawyer represents a client without charge. The lawyer is said to be representing the client pro bono
Pro se: A party in a lawsuit that represents himself or herself. Proceeding pro se means proceeding without a lawyer
Proof of Service: A document stating how and when service of a summons and complaint or other legal document was made on the other party
Q
R
Rebuttal Testimony: At trial, after the defendants have completed their questioning of their own witnesses, plaintiffs can call additional witnesses solely to challenge or “rebut” testimony given by the defendants’ witnesses. Defendants also have the opportunity to present rebuttal witnesses to “rebut” the testimony of the plaintiff’s’ witnesses
Re-direct Examination: After the opposing party has cross-examined a witness, the party who called the witness gets to ask questions about topics covered in the cross examination
Remedies: An action a court can take to compensate a party that has been injured in some way by the other party’s action.
Reply: A written response in opposition to a motion made by the other party, or the answer to a counterclaim made by the other party
Record: The official word-for-word copy of the court proceedings taken by a court reporter or court recorder
Restitution: Part of the order or judgment of a civil case or part of a sentence in a criminal case. Restitution is to return the property or monetary value of the loss.
Rest: When all the evidence a party intends to offer is completed, the party is said to “rest” or “rest his/her case”
Rules of Appellate Procedure: Rules that govern procedure in the Supreme Court of North Dakota
Rules of Civil Procedures: Rules that govern all procedures in civil actions in district court
Rules of Court: Rules that apply to all trial courts of the state in all civil, criminal, and juvenile cases, and to all appellate courts of the state unless there is a supreme Court administrative rule or order that applies
Rules of Criminal Procedure: Rules that govern all practice and procedures in criminal cases in district court and other courts including prosecutions in municipal courts
Rules of Evidence: Rules that govern proceedings in the courts of North Dakota. The rules are to secure fairness, eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay
Rules of Juvenile Procedure: Rules that govern the procedure in all actions conducted under the Uniform Juvenile Court Act. The rules must be administered to protect the best interests of children and to address the unique characteristics and needs of children
S
Sanction: Punishment the court may impose on a person in certain situations. E.g. a person refuses to obey a court order, or refuses to respond to discovery requests. A sanction can be monetary or even result in a lawsuit being dismissed
Serve/Service: When one party provides a document or copy of a document to the other party according to ND Rules of Civil Procedure on service
Shall: Generally indicates "mandatory" and not a matter of discretion.
Special Proceeding: A special proceeding is any remedy other than an action.
Small Claims Court: Cases for recovery of money or an agreement involving fraud, deception, misrepresentation, or false promise when the value does not exceed five thousand dollars
Status Conference: Sometimes called a pre-trial conference. A judge will conduct a hearing to see about the progress of the case or address problems the parties may be having
Statute of Limitations: The amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit after the injury or, in some cases, after the person becomes aware of the cause of the injury
Stipulation: Written agreement signed by all parties
Subpoena: Document issued which requires a person (non-party to appear at a proceeding, hearing or trial
Subpoena Duces Tecum: Document that requires a non-party to produce documents listed in the subpoena duces tecum
Summary Judgment: A decision by the court to end a lawsuit, usually before trial because the evidence shows there is no real dispute about the key facts
Summons: A document that must be served with the original complaint in order to start a lawsuit
Sustain (an objection): If a judge “sustains” an objection by the other party the question cannot be answered or the evidence cannot be admitted
T
Testator: The person who makes a will
Testimony: Evidence given by a witness, under oath
Tort: An injury or wrong committed, either with or without force, to the person or property of another
Transcript: The written record taken down by a court reporter or court recorder of what was said in a court proceeding
U
V
Venue: Place where the lawsuit is filed.
Verdict: When a jury or judge (in a bench trial) decides who wins, the decision is called a verdict
Voir Dire: Jury selection process where each potential juror is asked questions to determine any bias that would prevent the juror from being fair and impartial
W
With Prejudice: A case that is dismissed with prejudice cannot be re-charged or re-filed
Without Prejudice: A case that is dismissed without prejudice can be re-charged or re-filed in another complaint
Witness: A person with personal knowledge about relevant facts in a case
Witness Box: Chair where witnesses sit when they are testifying in court. Usually to the side of the judge’s bench
X
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