Waiver Intentionally given up a right. Waiver of immunity A means authorized by statute by which a witness, before testifying or producing evidence, may relinquish the right to refuse to testify against himself or herself, thereby making it possible for his or her testimony to be used against him or her in future proceedings. Warrant […]
Vacate To set aside. Venire A writ summoning persons to court to act as jurors. (See venire facias in Foreign Words Glossary.) Venue Authority of a court to hear a matter based on geographical location. Verdict A conclusion, as to fact or law, that forms the basis for the court’s judgment. (See directed verdict.) Visa […]
Uniform Laws Annotated Annotated uniform and model acts approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. Unilateral contract An agreement by which one undertakes an express performance without receiving any express promise of performance from the other. Union An organization of workers formed for the purpose of collective bargaining. United States Attorney […]
Tangible Personal Property Memorandum (TPPM) A legal document that is referred to in a will and used to guide the distribution of tangible personal property. Taxable income The income against which tax rates are applied to compute tax paid; gross income of businesses or adjusted gross income of individuals less deductions and exemptions. Temporary relief […]
Search warrant A written order issued by a judge that directs a law enforcement officer to search a specific area for a particular piece of evidence. Seal To mark a document with a seal; to authenticate or make binding by affixing a seal. Court seal, corporate seal. Secondary authority Legal encyclopedias, treatises, legal texts, law […]
Real property Land, buildings, and whatever is attached or affixed to the land. Generally synonymous with the words “real estate.” Reasonable doubt An accused person is entitled to acquittal if, in the minds of the jury, his or her guilt has not been proved beyond a “reasonable doubt;” that state of minds of jurors in […]
Quash To vacate or void a summons, subpoena, etc. Quasi-contract An obligation created by the law in the absence of an agreement or contract; not based upon the intentions or expressions of the parties. Quasi-criminal action A classification of actions such as violation of a city ordinance that is not also violation of a criminal […]
Paralegal Also, legal assistant. A person with legal skills who works under the supervision of a lawyer. Pardon An act of grace from governing power which mitigates punishment and restores rights and privileges forfeited on account of the offense. Parole Supervised release of a prisoner from imprisonment on certain prescribed conditions which entitle him to […]
Oath A solemn pledge made under a sense of responsibility in attestation of the truth of a statement or in verification of a statement made. Objection The process by which one party takes exception to some statement or procedure. An objection is either sustained (allowed) or overruled by the judge. Official reports The publication of […]
Naturalization Process by which a person acquires nationality after birth and becomes entitled to privileges of citizenship. Negligence Failure to use care which a reasonable and prudent person would use under similar circumstances. Negotiation The process of submission and consideration of offers until an acceptable offer is made and accepted. Next friend One acting without […]