A writ issued by a court ordering a public official to perform an act.

The unlawful killing of another without intent to kill; either voluntary (upon a sudden impulse); or involuntary (during the commission of an unlawful act not ordinarily expected to result in great bodily harm). See also murder.

A form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties bring their dispute to a neutral third party, who helps them agree on a settlement.

In writing.

The "guilty mind" necessary to establish criminal responsibility.

The doctrine that requires police officers to tell a suspect in their custody of his or her constitutional rights before questioning him or her. The doctrine is named after the US Supreme Court case entitled 'Miranda v. Arizona'.

A criminal offense considered less serious than a felony. Misdemeanors generally are punishable by a fine or a limited local jail term, but not by imprisonment in a state penitentiary.

An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.

A fact or situation that does not constitute a justification or excuse for an offense but which may be considered as a reason to reduce the degree of blame.

The name of an order in writing, issuing from a court and directing the sheriff or other officer to convey a person to a prison, asylum, or reformatory, and directing the jailer or other appropriate official to receive and safely keep the person until his or her fate shall be determined by due course of law.

A case or point that is not subject to a judicial determination because it involves an abstract question or a pretended controversy that has not yet actually arisen or has already passed. Mootness usually refers to a court's refusal to consider a case because the issue involved has been resolved prior to the court's decision, leaving nothing that would be affected by the court's decision.

Oral or written request made by a party to an action before, during, or after a trial, upon which a court issues a ruling or order.

The unlawful killing of a human being with deliberate intent to kill. Murder in the first degree is characterized by premeditation; murder in the second degree is characterized by a sudden and instantaneous intent to kill or to cause injury without caring whether the injury kills or not.

Failure to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances.

A person acting without formal appointment as guardian for the benefit of an infant, a person of unsound mind not judicially declared incompetent, or other person under some disability.

A phrase that describes complaints brought by the police that will not be filed with the court (at the prosecutor’s discretion).

Language in a will that provides that a person who makes a legal challenge to the will's validity will be disinherited.

A civil case in which parties may resolve their dispute without a formal finding of error or fault.

Decision by a prosecutor not to go forward with charging a crime. It translates to "I do not choose to prosecute." Also loosely called nolle pros.

A plea of no contest. In many jurisdictions, it is an expression that the matter will not be contested, but without an admission of guilt. In other jurisdictions, it is an admission of the charges and is equivalent to a guilty plea.

An facility that supervises youth living in the Northeast quadrant of the city. It offers an alternative to those facing probation revocation or pre-trial detention by having them at the center 6 days a week to engage in mentoring, counseling, and other pro-social activities.

An office that supervises youth living in the Northwest quadrant of the city who are on pre-trial release or have been given probation.

The disposition of a case with which the DC Attorney General’s Office has decided not to move forward.

Formal notification to the party that has been sued in a civil case of the fact that the lawsuit has been filed. Also, any form of notification of a legal proceeding.

A legal phrase applied to acts which are allowed after the time when they should be done, with a retroactive effect.

An oral (unwritten) will.

Written or oral pledge by a person to keep a promise or speak the truth.

The process by which one party takes exception to some statement or procedure. An objection is either sustained (allowed) or overruled by the judge.

Release of a person from custody without the payment of any bail or posting of bond, upon the promise to return to court.

The initial statement made by attorneys for each side, outlining the facts each intends to establish during the trial.

A judge's written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of judges. A dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion because of the reasoning or the principles of law on which the decision is based. A concurring opinion agrees with the decision of the court but offers further comment. A per curiam opinion is an unsigned opinion "of the court."

An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.

A written or oral command from a court directing or forbidding an action.

A judge’s decision not to allow an objection.

A police form used for juvenile delinquency complaints.

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