Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Habeas corpus Latin phrase meaning "you have the body"; a civil proceeding used to review the legality of a prisoner's confinement in criminal cases. Habeas corpus actions are commonly used as a means of reviewing state or federal criminal convictions. The petitioner alleges the convictions violated state or federal constitutional rights. State habeas proceedings start in state District Court; federal habeas proceedings start in federal District Court. Lower court decisions may be appealed to appellate courts. Estate A collective term meaning all real and personal property owned by a person. Intestate The status of a person who dies without leaving a will. Trial A judicial examination of issues between parties to an action. Hung jury A jury that cannot agree on a final verdict. If a jury is hung, the court declares a mistrial and the case may be re-tried. Double jeopardy Common law and constitutional prohibition (5th Amendment) against more than one prosecution for the same crime Ordinance A written law enacted by the legislative body of a county, city, or town. Impeachment of witness An attack on the credibility of a witness.

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	Alternative Dispute Resolution describes problem-solving processes Alternative Dispute Resolution describes problem-solving processes that promote creative solutions to disputes that are unavailable in traditional dispute resolution forums. May include a specialist