The Law Dictionary for Everyone
In the legal system, an Order to Show Cause is a court order requiring an individual or entity to explain, justify, or prove something. In the U.S., courts frequently use orders to show cause to initiate a court proceeding that needs to be heard outside the usual schedule, such as when a temporary order is being sought. In these cases, […]
Read moreA subpoena is a court-ordered demand that a person appear in court or other legal proceeding, or that specific documents be produced and presented at a specified date, time, and location. The Latin word subpoena means “under penalty,” and if a person refuses, or fails to comply with a subpoena, he is subject to civil or criminal penalties. To explore […]
Read moreA summons is a legal document that is issued by a court in a civil lawsuit, or by a government agency in an administrative action. The document notifies the defendant he is being sued, or that there is an administrative action against him, as well as the date and time of the first hearing. A summons also provides the defendant […]
Read moreWhen an individual or entity, initiates a lawsuit against another party, they are legally required to provide the other party with notice of the impending lawsuit, as well as copies of any documents that have been filed with the court. This is known as “service of process.” Documents are often served to an opposing party through a professional server known […]
Read moreWhen an individual acts on his own behalf during a legal action, rather than through an attorney, he is considered to be a pro se litigant. This Latin term literally means “advocating on one’s own behalf.” In all jurisdictions in the United States, an individual is allowed to represent himself, whether as the plaintiff or defendant in a civil lawsuit, […]
Read moreIn the United States, suing someone, or taking them to court for some other legal action, requires that they be notified that the legal action has been initiated, and just what that action is. This is done by providing them with a copy of the official legal documents filed with the court in a specific manner, called “service of process.” […]
Read moreA document filed with the court asking the judge to throw out certain claims in a civil or criminal case, or to throw out the case altogether, is called a “Motion to Dismiss.” A Motion to Dismiss is often filed by a defendant immediately after the lawsuit has been served, but may be filed at any time during the proceedings. […]
Read moreIn the legal process, an “answer” refers to a written response filed by a defendant to a plaintiff’s complaint or petition. The answer, also called a “response” in some situations, typically denies the accusations made, or facts stated, by the plaintiff. The defendant may also include facts in an attempt to justify his actions, or to make a counterclaim against […]
Read moreA legal petition is the first official document that is filed in a legal action. The document provides a basic outline of the case, and its main purpose is to provide the defendant with notice of the impending lawsuit. Exactly what must be included in a petition varies slightly by state, but in all jurisdictions, the petition, also called a […]
Read moreWhen parties to a dispute come together before a court or tribunal to present information and evidence fore the purpose of allowing the court to make a decision on the dispute, it is considered to be a trial. In the U.S., a trial occurs in a formal judicial setting before a judge with the authority to adjudicate disputes and claims, […]
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