The Law Dictionary for Everyone
A public defender is a lawyer appointed to represent individuals accused of a crime, who are unable to hire an attorney for financial reasons. The U.S. Constitution affords all individuals the right to representation when charged with a crime. If an accused individual cannot afford to hire an attorney, and the state does not provide him with one, he cannot […]
Read moreIn its broadest definition, the term evidence refers to anything that is presented to prove something else is true or exists. In the legal system, evidence is any type of proof presented at trial, for the purpose of convincing the judge and/or jury that alleged facts of the case are true. This may include anything from witness testimony to documents, […]
Read moreIn general terms, a plea is a serious, urgent, and emotional request for something. The legal term plea refers to an individual’s answer to a legal declaration or legal charge. In a criminal court case, the defendant’s plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest, is his formal response to the charges against him. To explore this concept, consider the […]
Read moreA jury is a group of one’s peers that are sworn to give a verdict in a legal matter based on the testimony presented at trial. The Constitution of the United States guarantees an individual the right to a jury trial should he face criminal charges in court. A jury is also used to render a verdict in many civil […]
Read moreExpungement is the official sealing of an individual’s records of arrest and conviction. This must be done by a court of law, and serves the purpose of making such records unavailable to people doing a background check. Because most employers, and many landlords, commonly ask applicants if they have a criminal record, and may not hire or rent to someone […]
Read moreThe term impeachment refers to the legal process that takes place when charges are brought against a public official, to determine whether he or she can and should be removed from office. Contrary to popular belief, impeachment is not the actual removal from office, but the procedure that must be followed in order to achieve such a removal. If the […]
Read moreHabeas corpus is a legal action in which a prisoner challenges the authority of the jail or prison to continue holding him. This Latin term translates as, “you have the body,” and it allows incarcerated people to seek relief from unlawful confinement. Habeas corpus is a protection against illegal imprisonment, afforded to United States citizens as outlined in the Suspension […]
Read moreA court reporter is a person that transcribes speech into written form. This is done in order to produce official transcripts at various legal proceedings. A transcriber may also be used in other official settings such as conferences or depositions at private law firms, or meetings or hearings at state agencies, trade associations, and non-profit organizations. To explore this concept, […]
Read moreA person can adopt a new name if they wish to do so, yet a legal name change must be done according to specific laws, which vary by state. While many states allow an individual to change his or her name simply by using it, banking, credit, and governmental institutions are likely to require proof, in the form of a […]
Read moreIn the legal system, a stipulation is an agreement made between two or more parties to a legal proceeding. Stipulations may be made prior to trial, or during a trial, as these agreements are made to regulate certain matters related to the proceeding, and are entered as part of the official court record. Often times, stipulations are used to assist […]
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