| A | B |
|---|
| litigate | to take a dispute to court |
| mediator | one who tries to get parties to settle their dispute voluntarily |
| arbitrator | one who makes a decision that is binding on parties in a dispute |
| procedural law | rules for enforcement of legal rights and duties |
| substantive law | rules that define legal right and duties |
| court | tribunal established to administer justice |
| trial court | court where a dispute is first heard |
| appellate court | court that reviews trial court decisions |
| transcript | copy of the written record of a trial |
| small claims court | court in which a person may sue on a small claim |
| juveniles | persons under the age of majority |
| juvenile deliquents | minors who violate any law |
| incorrigible | uncontrollable by parents or guardians |
| status offenses | acts which are wrongful because of the offender's age |
| criminal action | lawsuit brought against a person accused of a crime |
| bail | deposit of money to guarantee appearance at one's trial |
| recognizance | promise of the accused person to appear in court, without posting bail |
| citation | order requirinmg a defendant to appear in court |
| indictment | accusation by a grand jury declaring there is reason to try a person for a crime |
| grand jury | group of citizens selected to hear evidence of alleged felonies |
| defendant | person against whom a criminal or civil action is brought |
| prosecution | state as the party bringing a legal action against a person accused of a crime |
| arraignment | court proceeding where the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty to the formal charge of a crime |
| plaintiff | one who brings a civil action |
| complaint | first paper in a civil action, filed by the plainteiff, stating the claim for judgment |
| summons | court order directing the defendant to answer the plaintiff's complaint |
| answer | defendant's statement in reply to the plaintiff's complaint |
| default judgment | judgment given to the plaintiff when the defendant fails to answer the complaint |
| deposition | pretrial questioning of the opposing party and witnesses under oath |
| pretrial hearing | conference of the judge with the opposing attorneys before the trial |
| trial jury | body of citizens selected to determine questions of fact |
| evidence | anything that provides information used to prove or disprove alleged facts |
| testimony | oral statements given as evidence by witnesses under oath |
| witness | person who has personal knowledge of the facts |
| subpoena | written order commanding a person to appear in court as a witness |
| verdict | decision of a jury |
| hung jury | jury unable to agree unanimously upon a verdict |
| judgment | final result of a trial |
| execution | process by which a judgment for money is enforced by court order |
