The Law Dictionary for Everyone
In the law, the term “negligence” refers to a failure of a person or entity to exercise a level of care necessary to protect others, whether in interest, or from physical harm, from actions or conditions that may cause them harm. Negligence most often comes into play concerning a person’s or entity’s actions, however it may also be an omission […]
Read moreA summary judgment is a decision made by the court on the basis of evidence and statements presented in the documents and legal pleadings filed with the court, without a full trial. Summary judgment, also referred to as “judgment as a matter of law,” may be requested by the submission of a motion for summary judgment by either party. The […]
Read moreA judgment is the official decision made by the court at the end of a lawsuit, criminal trial, or other legal proceeding. In certain cases, a party to the proceeding may make a “motion for judgment, requesting that the court make a decision. After issuing a judgment, the judge may impose a sentence on a guilty defendant, award damages to […]
Read moreAn appeal is a request to a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court. The higher court can review the entire case, certain aspects of the case, or the sentence imposed by the lower court. The appellant, who may be the plaintiff or the defendant in the lower court case, must show the higher court that […]
Read moreThe term “hearsay” refers to an out-of-court statement made by someone other than the witness reporting it. For example, while testifying in John’s murder trial, Anthony states that John’s best friend told him that John had killed the victim. Anthony did not hear John make the admission firsthand, making testimony of this statement “hearsay.” To explore this concept, consider the […]
Read moreEthical reasoning pertains to the rights and wrongs of human conduct. Each person has standards that are defined by their personal values which come into play when the person faces certain dilemmas or decisions. Commonly, ethical differences occur as a result of individual interpretation of a subject or event, or may be political or religious in nature. To explore this […]
Read moreMost trials begin with an attorney for each side making statements directly to the jury, or judge in a bench trial, explaining what each intends to prove during the trial proceedings. The trial then ends with the attorneys addressing the judge or jury in a “closing argument,” which has the larger goal of swaying the jury to their side. Trials […]
Read moreAn “assault” is an attempt by one person to cause another person serious bodily harm, whether they do it on purpose, or through reckless actions, with a deliberate lack of respect for the victim’s life or safety. An “aggravated assault” is an assault for which the perpetrator faces more severe punishment because of the severity of the crime. While there […]
Read moreEstoppel meaning in law The legal principal of estoppel keeps a party from alleging a fact or acting in a certain way, then attempting to claim something in opposition to that fact or action later in the proceeding to suit their purposes. In other words, a party cannot deny a fact that has already been settled as truth. The truth […]
Read moreGeneral Jurisdiction refers to a court that holds the authority to hear all types of cases except those prohibited by the laws in that state. Case types include civil, criminal, family, probate, and others. While each state has a system that establishes trial courts of general jurisdiction, federal courts do not have general jurisdiction, as they are limited to hearing […]
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