A police form used for juvenile delinquency complaints.

A form of executive clemency preventing criminal punishment or other legal consequences of the crime.

The doctrine under which the court protects the interests of a juvenile.

A signed contract between the parent(s) of the juvenile and the court; it requires attendance at all hearings and follow-ups on any needs and conditions of release of the respondent.

The supervised conditional release of a prisoner before the expiration of his or her sentence. If the parolee observes the conditions, he or she need not serve the rest of his or her term.

A person, business, or government agency actively involved in the prosecution or defense of a legal proceeding.

A government grant giving an inventor the exclusive right to make or sell his or her invention for a term of years.

A challenge that may be used to reject a certain number of prospective jurors without giving a reason.

The criminal offense of making a false statement under oath.

A court order requiring that some action be taken, or that some party refrain from taking action. It differs from forms of temporary relief, such as a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.

Juvenile found to have committed a status offense rather than a crime that would provide a basis for a finding of delinquency. Typical status offenses are habitual truancy, violating a curfew, or running away from home. These are not crimes, but they might be enough to place a child under supervision. In different states, status offenders might be called children in need of supervision or minors in need of supervision.

Tangible items (such as cars, clothing, furniture, and jewelry) and intangible items that a person may own. This does not include real property such as land or rights in land.

The person who has been appointed by the court to administer an estate.

The person filing an action in a court of original jurisdiction. Also, the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court. The opposing party is called the respondent.

The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit. Also called the complainant.

In a criminal proceeding, it is the defendant's declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty. The defendant's answer to the charges made in the indictment or information.

The process through which an accused person and a prosecutor negotiate a mutually satisfactory disposition of a case. Usually it is a legal transaction in which a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for some form of leniency. It often involves a guilty plea to lesser charges or a guilty plea to some of the charges if other charges are dropped. Such bargains are not binding on the court.

The written statements of fact and law filed by the parties to a lawsuit.

The act, after a jury verdict has been announced, of asking jurors individually whether they agree with the verdict.

A will that leaves some or all estate assets to a trust established before the will-maker's death.

Formal authorization of a person to act in the interests of another person.

The period between arrest/case filing and disposition or sentencing of a juvenile.

A report to the sentencing judge containing background information about the crime and the defendant to assist the judge in making his or her sentencing decision.

A meeting between the judge and the lawyers involved in a lawsuit to narrow the issues in the suit, agree on what will be presented at the trial, and make a final effort to settle the case without a trial.

A previously decided case that guides the decision of future cases.

Another term for arraignment.

A court order requiring action or forbidding action until a decision can be made whether to issue a permanent injunction. It differs from a temporary restraining order.

The greater weight of the evidence that is sufficient to convince a judge or jury that one side of an issue is stronger than another. It is the common standard of proof in civil cases.

A charge issued by a grand jury of its own iniative.

A child born after a will is executed, who is not provided for by the will. Most states have laws that provide for a share of estate property to go to such children.

The agency that does pretrial monitoring of all adults charged with a crime and awaiting trial. The agency does substance abuse testing for adults and juveniles charged with crimes in DC

A case that is sufficient and has the minimum amount of evidence necessary to allow it to continue in the judicial process.

For the public good. Lawyers representing clients without a fee are said to be working pro bono publico.

A Latin term meaning "on one’s own behalf"; in courts, it refers to persons who present their own cases without lawyers.

A reasonable belief that a crime has or is being committed; the basis for all lawful searches, seizures, and arrests.

The court-supervised process by which a will is determined to be the will-maker's final statement regarding how the will-maker wants his or her property distributed. It also confirms the appointment of the personal representative of the estate. Probate also means the process by which assets are gathered; applied to pay debts, taxes, and expenses of administration; and distributed to those designated as beneficiaries in the will.