| A | B |
|---|
| ADMINISTRATIVE LAW | RULES AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY REGULATORY AGENCIES |
| ALLEGIANCE | LOYALTY TO ONE'S COUNTRY |
| CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE | AN OPEN PEACEFUL VIOLATION OF A LAW TO PROTEST ITS ALLEGED INJUSTICE |
| COMMERCIAL LAW | CONCERNED WITH BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS AND THE OPERATION OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS |
| COMMON LAW | UNWRITTEN LAW THAT EVOLVES FROM THE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF SOCIETY |
| CONSTITUTION | A DOCUMENT WHICH SPELLS OUT THE PRINCIPLES BY WHICH A GOVERNMENT RUNS AND FUNDAMENTAL LAWS THAT GOVERN A SOCIETY |
| EXPATRIATION | THE ACT OF ABANDONING ONE'S COUNTRY AND GIVING UP CITIZENSHIP |
| INTERNATIONAL LAW | CONCERNED WITH THE CONDUCT OF NATIONS IN THEIR RELATIONS WITH EACH OTHER |
| JUDICIAL REVIEW | THE RIGHT ESTABLISHED BY MAYBURY VS. MADISON FOR THE COURT SYSTEM TO EXAMINE THE DECISION OF A LOWER COURT, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, OR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH |
| LAWS | RULES OF CONDUCT ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF A SOCIETY TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND JUSTICE IN THAT SOCIETY |
| LAW OF PRECEDENT | WHEN A JUDGE IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW AN EARLIER COURT DECISION WHEN DECIDING A CASE WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, ALSO CALLED STARE DECISIS |
| MUICIPAL | RELATING TO A CITY OR TOWN |
| ORDINANCES | LAWS ENACTED BY LOCAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTAL BODIES |
| STARE DECISIS | "LET THE DECISION STAND", ANOTHER NAME FOR LAW OR PRECEDENT OR CASE LAW |
| STATUTES | LAWS ENACTED BY LEGISLATIVE BODIES |
| SUPREMACY | THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY; US CONSTITUTION HAS SUPREMACY OVER STATE LAWS, STATE LAWS HAVE SUPREMACY OVER LOCAL LAWS |
| TREASON | BETRAYAL OR DISLOYALTY TO ONE'S COUNTRY |
| UNCONSTITUTIONAL | A LAW THAT IS NOT AGREEABLE WITH THE CONSTITUTION AND IS NO LONGER VALID |
| COURT OF RECORD | ACCURATE, DETAILED REPORT OF WHAT WENT ON AT A TRIAL |
| CONTEMPT OF COURT | ACTION THAT HINDERS THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN COURT |
| ARREST | ACTION WHEN A PERSON IS DEPRIVED OF HIS OR HER FREEDOM |
| PROBATE COURT | ADMINISTERS WILLS AND ESTATES |
| GENERAL JURISDICTION | AUTHORITY OF A COURT TO HEAR A WIDE RANGE OF CASES |
| LIMITED JURISDICTION | AUTHORITY OF A COURT TO HEAR ONLY ONE PARTICULAR TYPE OF CASE |
| APPELLATE JURISDICTION | AUTHORITY OF COURT TO REVIEW A DECISION OF A LOWER COURT OR ADMINSTRATIVE AGENCY |
| MUNICIPAL COURT | CITY COURT, USUSALLY DIVIDED INTO TRAFFIC AND CRIMINAL DIVISIONS |
| DUE PROCESS OF LAW | CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS IN OUR LEGAL AND COURT SYSTEM |
| INTERMEDIATE COURT | COURT BETWEEN THE LOWER COURT AND THE HIGHEST COURT. ALSO CALLED APPELLATE COURT |
| INJUNCTION | COURT ORDER ISSUED BY A JUDGE ORDERING A PERSON TO DO OR NOT TO DO SOMETHING |
| APPELLATE COURT | COURTS THAT HAVE THE AURTHORITY TO HEAR APPEALS AND REVIEW CASES FROM LOWER COURTS |
| VERDICT | DECISION OF THE JURY |
| PROCEDURAL DEFENSE | DEFENSE BASED ON PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY EVIDENCE IS OBTAINED OR THE WAY THE ACCUSED PERSON IS ARRESTED, QUESTIONED, TRIED, OR PUNISHED |
| REAL DEFENSE | DEFENSE THAT MAY BE USED AGAINST A HOLDER IN DUE COURSE FROM COLLECTING ON A NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT |
| STARE DECISIS | DOCTRINE THAT REQUIRES LOWER COURTS TO FOLLOW EXISTING CASE LAW IN DECIDING SIMILAR CASES |
| JUDGMENT | FINAL RESULT OF A TRIAL |
| TRIAL COURT | FIRST COURT TO HEAR A DISPUTE |
| ANSWER | FORMAL WRITTEN DOCUMENT THAT ADMITS OR DENIES EACH ALLEGATION OF THECOMPLAINT AND STATES ANY DEFENSES THAT THE DEFENDANT PLANS TO USE |
| COURT | GOVERNMENTAL FORUM THAT ADMINISTERS JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW |
| PROCEDURAL LAW | GROUP OF LAWS THAT DEFINE THE METHODS FOR ENFORCING LEGAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES |
| DETENTION HEARING | HEARING WHETHER THERE ARE GOOD REASONS FOR KEEPING THE ACCUSED IN CUSTODY AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING THE CASE |
| DUE PROCESS | AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY DECISION-MAKING, NOTICE OF CHARGES OR POTENTIAL RULE MAKING COUPLED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR, PRESENT EVIDENCE, AND CONFRONT WITNESSES IF WARRANTED |
| JUVENILES | INDIVIDUALS OVER 13 AND UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WHO HAVE SPECIAL STATUS UNDER THE CRIMINAL LAW |
| EX PARTE INJUNCTION | INJUNCTION ISSUED BY A JUDGE AFTER HEARING ONLY ONE SIDE OF AN ARGUMENT |
| GRAND JURY | JURY OF INQUIRY. IT IS A GROUP OF CITIZENS CALLED TOGETHER BY A COURT OFFICIAL TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY ACCUSING CERTAIN PERSONS OF CERTAIN CRIMES |
| STATUTES | LAWS ENACTED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LEGISLATURES |
| COMPLAINT | LEGAL DOCUMENT CONTAINING A SHORT AND PLAIN STATEMENT OF THE PLAINTIFF'S CLAIM AGAINST THE DEFENDANT |
| UNRULY CHILD | MINOR WHO HAS DONE SOMETHING WHAT WOULD NOT BE A CRIME IF IT WERE DONE BY AN ADULT |
| DELINQUENT CHILD | MINOR, UNDER A CERTAIN AGE (USUALLY 16, 17, OR 18), WHO HAS COMMITTED AN ACT THAT WOULD BE A CRIME IN DONE BY AN ADULT |
| PUNITIVE DAMAGES | MONEY A COURT REQUIRES A DEFENDANT TO PAY IN ORDER TO PUNISH AND MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF THE DEFENDANT |
| BAIL | MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY THAT IS LEFT WITH THE COURT TO ASSURE THE COURT THAT THE PERSON WILL RETURN TO STAND TRIAL |
| JURY | PANEL OF CITIZENS SWORN BY A COURT TO DECIDE ISSUES OF FACT IN COURT CASES |
| PROSECUTOR | PARTY THAT ACCUSES THE PERSON OF A CRIME. THE PLAINTIFF |
| JURSIDICTION | POWER OF A COURT TO DECIDE A CASE |
| ORIGINAL JURISDICTION | POWER TO HEAR THE CASE IN FULL FOR THE FIRST TIME |
| ARRAIGNMENT | PROCEDURE IN WHICH THE ACCUSED IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT, READ THE INDICTMENT OR INFORMATION, AND ASKED TO PLEAD GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY |
| SMALL CLAIMS COURT | SPECIAL COURT INTENDED TO HANDLE SMALL CLAIMS ON DEBTS QUICKLY AND SIMPLY |
| STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS | STATE LAWS SETTING TIME LIMIT FOR BRINGING A LAWSUIT |
| JUSTICE | TITLE OF A JUDGE ON THE STATE SUPREME COURT OR FEDERAL SUPREME COURT |
| PRECEDENT | WHEN A JUDGE IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW AN EARLIER COURT DECISION WHEN DECIDING A CASSE WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. ALSO CALLED STARE DECISIS |
| INDICTMENT | WRITTEN ACCUSATION ISSUED BY THE GRAND JURY CHARGING THE INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS NAMED IN IT WITH A CERTAIN CRIME |
| MINOR | YOUNG PERSON WHO HAS NOT REACHED THE AGE OF LEGAL ADULTHOOD. 18 IS NOW GENERALLY ACCEPTED AS THE AGE OF LEGAL ADULTHOOD |
| ARSON | WILLFUL AND MALICIOUS BURNING OF A HOUSE OR OTHER BUILDING |
| ASSAULT | AN ATTEMPT TO COMMIT A BATTERY |
| BATTERY | UNLAWFUL TOUCHING OF ANOTHER PERSON |
| BRIBERY | ILLEGALLY PAYING OR GIVING ANYTHING OF VALUE TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO INFLUENCE THEIR OFFICIAL ACTIVITY |
| BURGLARY | BREAKING (OPENING) AND ENTERING OF A DWELLING HOUSE AT NIGHT WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A FELONY |
| COMPUTER CRIMES | ILLEGALLY USING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE BY COPYING AND/OR TAKING DATA FROM WEBSITES AND PROGRAMS FOR PERSONAL USE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION |
| CRIME | AN ACT AGAINST THE PUBLIC GOOD, PUNISHABLE BY A FINE, IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH |
| DEATH PENALTY | TAKE THE LIFE OF THE CONVICTED BY USE OF VARIOUS MEANS, I.E., LETHAL INJECTION, ELECTRIC CHAIR, GAS MASK |
| DEFENDANT | PERSON ACCUSED OF COMMITTING A CRIME |
| DEFENSE OF FAMILY MEMBERS | PERSON WHO USES FORCE TO RESCUE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN ATTACKED |
| EMBEZZLEMENT | WRONGFUL TAKING AWAY OF ANOTHER'S PROPERTY BY A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THAT PROPERTY |
| ENTRAPMENT | LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INTICES A LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN TO COMMIT A CRIME |
| EXTORTION | UNJUST TAKING OF MONEY OR A THING OF VALUE BY A PUBLIC OFFICIAL |
| FELONY | MAJOR CRIME PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT OR DEATH |
| FINES | PAYMENT OF A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF MONEY AS A PENALTY FOR COMMITTING A CRIME |
| FORGERY | FALSE MAKING OR CHANGING OF A WRITING WITH THE INTENT TO DEFRAUD |
| IMPRISONMENT | INDEFINITE OR INDETERMINATE SENTENCES HANDED DOWN BY THE JUDGE |
| INSANITY | CRIME COMMITTED WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR MENTAL STATE OF THE PERSON |
| JUVENILE | YOUTH UNDER THE LEGAL AGE OF ADULTHOOD |
| KIDNAPPING | UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OR RESTRAINT OF A PERSON AGAINST THAT PERSON'S WILL |
| LARCENY | UNLAWFUL TAKING AND CARRYING AWAY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER WITH THE INTENT TO DEPRIVE THE OWNER OF IT |
| MANSLAUGHTER | UNLAWFUL KILLING OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING WITHOUT MALICE AFORETHOUGHT |
| MISDEMEANORS | LESS SERIOUS CRIME WITH A LESS SEVERE PENALTY |
| MURDER | UNLAWFUL KILLING OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING WITH MALICE AFORETHOUGHT |
| PROSECUTOR | ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE STATE |
| ROBBERY | WRONGFUL TAKING AND CARRYING AWAY OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHED BY VIOLENCE OR THREATS |
| SELF-DEFENSE | A PERSON HAVING GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE TO BE IN DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND USES FORCE TO PROTECT SELF |
| SENTENCE | DECISION OF JUDGE TO IMPOSE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT OF A CRIME |
| SEX OFFENSES | SEXUAL ASSAULT BY A FRIEND OR A DATE TO INCLUDE OTHER TYPES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT |
| TELECOMMUNICATION LAWS OR CYBER LAWS | GOVERNS THE LEGAL ISSUES OF CYBERSPACE |
| ASSUMPTION OF RISK | KNOWING OF RISK AND STILL TAKING THE CHANCE |
| COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE | NEGLIGENCE OF EACH PARTY IS COMPARED |
| CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE | PLAINTIFF HELPS CAUSE HIS OR HER INJURIES |
| DEFAMATION | INJURING ANOTHER'S REPUTATION |
| FALSE IMPRISONMENT | FALSE ARREST |
| INTENTIONAL TORT | KNOW AND DESIRE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACT |
| INVASION OF PRIVACY | INTERFERING WITH A PERSON'S RIGHT TO BE LEFT ALONE |
| LIBEL | FALSE STATEMENT MADE IN WRITING |
| NEGLIGENCE | FAILURE TO EXERCISE A DEGREE OF CARE THAT A REASONSABLE PERSON WOULD HAVE EXERCISED IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES |
| NUISANCE | ANYTHING THAT INTERFERES WITH THE ENJOYMENT OF LIFE |
| SLANDER | FALSE STATEMENT MADE ORALLY |
| STRICT LIABILITY | PARTICIPATION IN ULTRAHAZARDOUS ACTIVITY |
| TORT | ONE PERSON'S INTERFERENCE WITH ANOTHER PERSON'S RIGHTS, EITHER THROUGH INTENT, NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY |
| TORTFEASOR | PERSON WHO COMMITED A TORT |
| TRESPASS | WRONGFUL DAMAGE TO OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE PROPERTY OF ANOTHER |
| UNINTENTIONAL TORT | LACKS THE DETERMINATION OF MIND |
| ACCEPTANCE | UNQUALIFIED WILLINGNESS TO ALONG WITH AN OFFER |
| ALIENS | PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THIS COUNTRY BUT OWE ALLEGIANCE TO ANOTHER |
| BENEFIT | SOMETHING A PARTY WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY ENTITLED TO |
| BILATERAL MISTAKE | MISTAKE BY TWO PARTIES |
| CAPACITY | LEGAL ABILITY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT |
| CONSIDERATION | EXCHANGE OF THINGS OF VALUE |
| COUNTEROFFER | CHANGING TERMS OF INITIAL OFFER |
| DETRIMENT | ANY LOSS SUFFERED |
| DURESS | OVERCOMING A PERSON'S WILL BY FORCE |
| ECONOMIC DURESS | THREATS TO A PERSON'S BUSINESS |
| FORBEARANCE | NOT DOING SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO DO |
| FRAUD | DELIBERATE DECEPTION TO SECURE AN UNFAIR GAIN |
| GENUINE AGREEMENT | VALID OFFER MET BY VALID ACCEPTANCE |
| GRATUITOUS | FREE AGREEMENTS |
| INTEREST | FEE OWED TO BORROWER |
| LEGALITY | CONTRACT MUST NOT VIOLATE STATUTES |
| LICENSE | LEGAL DOCUMENT GIVING PERMISSION TO DO SOMETHING |
| MINOR | NOT REACHED LEGAL AGE OF CAPACITY |
| MIRROR IMAGE RULE | ACCEPTANCE MUST NOT CHANGE TERMS OF OFFER |
| MISREPRESENTATION | UNTRUE STATEMENT OF FACTS |
| NECESSARIES | NECESSITIES |
| OFFER | PROPOSAL OF ONE PARTY TO ANOTHER |
| PROMISSORY ESTOPPEL | A PROMISE ENFORCEABLE WITHOUT CONSIDERATION |
| RATIFY | APPROVE |
| REJECTION | REFUSAL OF OFFER |
| RESCIND | CANCEL |
| RESTRICTIVE COVENANT | A PROMISE NOT TO COMPETE |
| REVOCATION | TAKING BACK OFFER |
| UNCONSCIONABLE | GREAT INEQUALITY |
| UNDUE INFLUENCE | UNFAIR PERSUASIVE PRESSURE ON ANOTHER PERSON |
| UNILATERAL MISTAKE | ERROR BY ONE OF THE PARTIES |
| USURY | CHARGING MORE THAN MAXIMUM LEGAL INTEREST RATE |
| ALIEN | A CORPORATION CHARTERED IN ANOTHER NATION DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE |
| ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION | APPLICATION FORM FROM THE SECRETARY OR STATE'S OFFICE FILED FOR INCORPORATING A BUSINESS |
| ARTICLES OF PARTNERSHIP | A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT USUALLY EXPRESS (MAY BE WRITTEN OR ORAL) |
| COMMON STOCK | BASIC FORM OF CORPORATE OWNERSHIP PAYABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS AS DIVIDENDS AT PAR OR NO-PAR VALUE |
| CORPORATION | A LEGAL ENTITY THAT IS TREATED AS AN ARTIFICIAL PERSON BY THE LAW, WITH LIMITED LIABILITY OF OWNERS |
| CORPORATION BY ESTOPPEL | COURTS WILL NOT ALLOW DENIAL OF EXISTENCE OF A CORPORATION WHEN A SITUATION OF SOME PARTY'S WILLINGNESS TO TREAT A PERSON AS A CORPORATION OCCURS |
| DE FACTO CORPORATION | DOES NOT EXIST IN LAW BUT EXISTS IN FACT |
| DE JURE CORPORATION | LAWFULLY EXISTS AFTER ALL FORMALITIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED |
| DISSOLUTION | CHANGE IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE OWNERS THAT OCCURS WHEN ONE OWNER STOPS BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUSINESS |
| DIVIDEND | PROFIT PAID THROUGH COMMON STOCK TO THE SHAREHOLDERS, BASED ON THE CORPORATION'S PERFORMANCE |
| DOMESTIC | A CORPORATION CHARTERED IN A PARTICULAR STATE |
| DORMANT PARTNER | IS ONE WHO IS NEITHER KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS A PARTNER OR ACTIVE IN MANAGEMENT |
| EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER | ASSIGNED BY IRS FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED |
| FICTITIOUS NAME | PROPRIETOR USES ANY NAME BUT HIS/HER OWN NAME (MADE UP). |
| FOREIGN | A CORPORATION THAT DOES BUSINESS IN ONE STATE BUT IS CHARTERED IN ANOTHER |
| GENERAL PARTNERSHIP | ONE WHICH ALL THE PARTNERS ASSUME FULL LIABILITY FOR DEBTS OF THE FIRM |
| INCORPORATORS | SIGNORS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION |
| JOINT LIABILITY | ALL THE OWNERS OF THE BUSINESS MUST BE SUED TOGETHER IN THE EVENT OF A LAWSUIT |
| JOINT VENTURE | PARTNERSHIP IN WHICH ONE OR MORE PERSONS OR FIRMS COMBINE THEIR RESOURCES TO COMPLETE ONE COMPLEX PROJECT |
| LIQUIDATION | THE ENDING OF A CORPORATION |
| MERGER | THE PROCESS BY WHICH ONE CORPORATION BLENDS INTO ANOTHER EXISTING CORPORATION |
| NONPROFIT | A CORPORATION ORGANIZED FOR A SOCIAL, CHARITABLE, OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE |
| PARTNERSHIP BY ESTOPPEL | OCCURS BECAUSE SOMEONE DOES OR SAYS SOMETHING THAT LEADS A THIRD PARTY TO BELIEVE THAT A CO-OWNERSHIP EXISTS |
| PARTNERSHIP BY PROOF OF EXISTENCE | THE WAY TWO PEOPLE CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS TOGETHER |
| PARTNERSHIP (GENERAL) | TWO OR MORE COMPETENT PARTIES COMBINE THEIR MONEY , LABOR AND SKILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING ON A LAWFUL BUSINESS |
| PERPETUAL LIFE | ONE MAJOR ADVANTAGE OR CORPORATIONS, WHCIH MEANS THE CORPORATION CAN CONTINUE INDEFINITELY WITH NEW OWNERS |
| PREFERRED STOCK | A TYPE OF STOCK THAT ENTITLES ITS OWNER TO A STATED DIVIDEND |
| PRIVATE | A CORPORATION ESTABLISHED FOR BUSINESS OR CHARITABLE REASONS |
| PROMOTER | PERSON WHO CARRIES OUT THE INCORPORATION PROCESS AND IS PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BEFORE THE CORPORATION IS FORMED |
| PUBLIC | A CORPORATION ESTABLISHED FOR GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES |
| SECRET PARTNER | ONE WHO IS NOT KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS A PARTNER YET PARTICIPATES IN MANAGEMENT |
| SHARE | CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY PAID FOR EACH SINGLE UNIT OF OWNERSHIP OWNED |
| SHAREHOLDER | A PERSON WHO OWNS ONE OR MORE SHARES OF STOCK |
| SILENT PARTNER | ONE WHO MAY BE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS A PARTNER BUT TAKES NO ACTIVE PART IN MANAGEMENT |
| SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP | A FORM OF BUSINESS THAT IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY ONE PERSON |
| TENANCY IN PARTNERSHIP | A CO-OWNERSHIP OF PARTNERSHIP PROPERTY |
| TERMINATION | ENDING OF A PARTNERSHIP |
| UNIFORM PARTNERSHIP ACT (UPA) | THE LAW THAT GOVERNS MOST BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS OF TWO OR MORE PERSONS |
| UNLIMITED LIABILITY | BUSINESS OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL LOSSES EXPERIENCED BY THE BUSINESS |
