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U.S. lawyer lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to defend and prosecute cases for the federal government. The U.S. lawyer employs a staff of Assistant U.S. lawyers that appear as the government's lawyers in individual cases.

Memorandum - informal instrument or note embodying something the parties desire to have in written evidence

Jurisdiction - The power or authority of a court to hear and try a case the geographic area in which a court has power, also the types of cases it has power to hear

Unlawful detainer action lawsuit brought by a landlord against a tenant to evict the tenant from rental property - usually for nonpayment of rent.

Unliquidated claim A claim for which a specific value has not been determined.

Unscheduled debt A debt that should have been listed by the debtor in the schedules filed with the court but was not. Depending on the circumstances, an unscheduled debt may or may not be discharged.

Unsecured claim A claim or debt for which a creditor holds no special assurance of payment, like a mortgage or lien; a debt for which credit was extended based solely upon the creditor's assessment of the debtor's future ability to pay.

Uphold The appellate court agrees with the lower court decision and allows it to stand.

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

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

Pretermitted Child - A child born after a will is executed, who is not provided for by the will.

Pretrial Conference - 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 explore the possibility of settling the case without a trial. Motion in Limine - motion made by counsel requesting some ruling before the start of the case.

director, officer, or person in control of the debtor; a partnership in which the debtor is a general partner; a general partner of the debtor; or a relative of a general partner, director, officer, or person in control of the debtor.

Insider of individual debtor Any relative of the debtor or of a general partner of the Exempt assets Property that a debtor is allowed to retain, free from the claims of creditors who do not have liens on the property.

Exemptions, exempt property Certain property owned by an individual debtor that the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law permits the debtor to keep from unsecured creditors. For example, in some states the debtor may be able to exempt all or a portion of the equity in the debtor's primary residence homestead exemption , or some or all tools of the trade used by the debtor to make a living auto tools for an auto mechanic or dental tools for a dentist . The availability and amount of property the debtor may exempt depends on the state the debtor lives in.

Hearsay Evidence presented by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. With some exceptions, hearsay generally is not admissible as evidence at trial.Pre-Sentence Report - A report designed to assist the judge in passing sentence on a convicted defendant. Such reports should contain at least the following: complete description of the situation surrounding the criminal activity , offender's educational background , offender's employment background , offender's social history , residence history of the offender , offender's medical history, information about environment to which the offender will return , information about any resources available to assist the offender , probation officer's view of the offender's motivations and ambitions, full description of the offender's criminal record , and recommendation as to disposition.

U.S. trustee An officer of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for supervising the administration of estates, bankruptcy cases, and trustees; monitoring plans and disclosure statements; monitoring creditors' committees; monitoring fee applications; and performing other statutory duties.

Verdict The decision of a trial jury or a judge that determines the guilt or innocence of a criminal defendant, or that determines the final outcome of a civil case.

Voir dire Jury selection process of questioning prospective jurors, to ascertain their qualifications and determine any basis for challenge.

Notice to creditors - Notice given by the bankruptcy court to all creditors of a meeting of creditors

Nuncupative will - An oral unwritten will

Legal aid - Professional legal services available usually to persons or organizations unable to afford such services

Manslaughter - The unlawful killing of another without intent to kill; manslaughter can be either voluntary or involuntary

Insider of corporate debtor A director, officer, or person in control of the debtor; a partnership in which the debtor is a general partner; a general partner of the debtor; or a relative of a general partner, director, officer, or person in control of the debtor.

Insider of individual debtor Any relat

Living trust - A trust set up and in effect during the lifetime of the grantor

Objection - process by which one party takes exception to some procedure or statement. An objection is either sustained allowed or overruled by the judge Exempt assets Property that a debtor is allowed to retain, free from the claims of creditors who do not have liens on the property.

Exemptions, exempt property Certain property owned by an individual debtor that the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law permits the debtor to keep from unsecured creditors. For example, in some states the debtor may be able to exempt all or a portion of the equity in his or her primary residence homestead exemption , or some or all tools of the trade used by the debtor to make a living i.e., auto tools for an auto mechanic or dental tools for a dentist .

Jury - A certain number of men and women selected according to law and sworn to try a question of fact or indict a person for public offense

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Oath - A solemn pledge made under a sense of responsibility in attestation of the truth of a statement or in verification of a statement made

Undue hardship The most widely used test for evaluating undue hardship in the dischargeability of a student loan includes three conditions: 1 the debtor cannot maintain - based on current income and expenses - a minimal standard of living if forced to repay the loans; 2 there are indications that the state of affairs is likely to persist for a significant portion of the repayment period; and 3 the debtor made good faith efforts to repay the loans.

The availability and amount of property the debtor may exempt depends on the state the debtor lives in.

Unsecured claim A claim or debt for which a creditor holds no special assurance of payment, like a mortgage or lien; a debt for which credit was extended based solely upon the creditor's assessment of the debtor's future ability to pay.

Uphold The appellate court agrees with the lower court decision and allows it to stand.

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

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

Pretermitted Child - A child born after a will is executed, who is not provided for by the will.

Pretrial Conference - 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 explore the possibility of settling the case without a trial.

Occupational Safety and Health Act A federal law designed to develop and occupational safety and health standards promote .

Executory contracts Contracts or leases under which both parties to the agreement have duties remaining to be performed. If a contract or lease is executory, a debtor may assume it keep the contract or reject it terminate the contract .

Palliation - A reduction, reduction, or abatement of a penalty or penalization imposed by law, knave hyatt, ,

Moot - A moot case is one not substance to a judicial decision because it involves a question that has not yet actually arisen or has already passed.

Pretrial Engagement - Programs to aid qualified criminal defendants by diverting them from prosecution and enrolling them in rehabilitative programs. Upon completion of the program, the criminal charge is dismissed. Pretrial intervention is most often used in minor drug cases.

Proceeding - Lititgation.

Magistrate - a lower-level judge.

Malfeasance - Bad conduct.

Pre-Sentence Research - Study of a defendant by the Department of Corrections.

Preliminary Ban - Yard rule requiring activity or menacing state until a determination can be prefabricated whether to number a lasting injunction. It differs from a temporary restraining ordering.

Asking - Ceremonial request to the recipient that has been sued in a national case of the fact that the suit has been filed. Also, any contour of request of a juristic proceeding

Grand commission A body of citizens who focus to grounds of crook allegations, which is presented by the prosecutors, and see whether there is probable create to conceive an independent pledged an anger. See also instrument and Federated States professional.

Habeas capital A juridic status forcing law enforcement regime to create a unfortunate they are retentive, and to maintain the prisoner's continuing confinement. Yank book greet petitions for a writ of habeas capital from commonwealth situation inmates who say their dos prosecutions desecrated federally shielded rights in whatsoever way.

Justiciable - Issues and claims capable of being properly examined in court ,

Felony A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.

Negotiation - The process of submission and consideration of offers until an acceptable offer is made and accepted

Next friend - One acting without formal appointment as guardian for the benefit of an infant, a person of unsound mind not judicially

Murder - 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

Limited Jurisdiction - Refers to courts that are limited in the types of criminal and civil cases they may hear. For example, traffic violations generally are heard by limited jurisdiction courts

Litigant - A party to a lawsuit Fresh start The characterization of a debtor's status after bankruptcy, i.e., free of most debts. Giving debtors a fresh start is one purpose of the Bankruptcy Code.

Opening statement - The initial statement made by lawyers for each side, outlining the facts each intends to establish during the trial, jack hyatt,

Mittimus - 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.

Face sheet filing A bankruptcy case filed either without schedules or with incomplete schedules listing few creditors and debts. Face sheet filings are often made for the purpose of delaying an eviction or foreclosure. jack hyatt lawyer, jack hyatt

Family farmer An individual, individual and spouse, corporation, or partnership engaged in a farming operation that meets certain debt limits and other statutory criteria for filing a petition under Chapter twelve.

Lapsed gift - A gift made in a will to a person who has died prior to the will-makers death

Presentment - Declaration or document issued by a grand jury that either makes a neutral report or notes misdeeds by officials charged with specified public duties. It ordinarily does not include formal criminal charges.

Prima Facie - A fact presumed to be true unless disproved by some evidence to the contrary. Evidence that will prevail until contradicted and overcome by other evidence. A prima facie case is one in which the plaintiff has presented sufficient evidence to require the defendant to go forward with his or her case. In other words, the plaintiff will prevail if the defendant does not rebut the plaintiff's case, jack hyatt,

Legitimate - That which is legal, lawful, recognized by law or according to law

Key number system - A research aid developed by the West Publishing Company which classifies digests of cases in on various law topics and subtopics which are given paragraph numbers called Key Numbers. Each key number for a given special topic helps the researcher quickly find all references to the legal matter being researched

No-contest Clause - Language in a will that provides that a person who makes a legal challenge to the will's validity will be disinherited Pretrial Release - Release by sheriff's personnel after arrest and before any court appearance, but with a court appearance date.

P>Federal public defender organization As provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, an organization established within a federal judicial circuit to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford an adequate defense. Each organization is supervised by a federal public defender appointed by the court of appeals for the circuit.

Federal question jurisdiction Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, treaties, and acts of Congress. dui lawyers in howard county md dui lawyers in calvert county md dui lawyers cost dui lawyers reviews dui lawyers association dui lawyers in mi dui lawyers in polk county

Leniency - Recommendation for a sentence less than the maximum allowed

National Labor Relations Board. - A federal government agency which prevents and remedies unfair labor practices by employers and labor organizations

No-fault Proceedings - A civil case in which parties may resolve their dispute without a formal finding of error or fault

Legal texts - Books that cover specific areas of the law, usually dealing with a single topic, jack hyatt,

Legislation - The act of giving or enacting laws; the power to make laws via legislation in contrast to court-made laws

Law Blank - A printed legal form available for preparing documents,

Precedent - A previously decided case that guides the decision of future cases , source of common law.

Preponderance of the evidence - Evidence that is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence that is offered in opposition to it. The amount of evidence that must be presented to prevail in most civil actions.

Libel - Published defamation which tends to injure a person's reputation

Licensing boards - State agencies established to control the issuance of licenses

Lien - An encumbrance or legal burden upon property

Law Clerk - In the United States, usually a law school student employed by a law firm to do research and other tasks. In the courts, a lawyer or law school student employed to do legal research

Letters Testamentary - Legal document issued by a court that shows an executor's legal right to take control of assets in the deceased person's name

Insider of individual debtor Any relative of the debtor or of a general partner of the debtor partnership in which the debtor is a general partner; general partner of the debtor; or corporation of that the debtor is a director, officer, or person in control,

Case file A complete collection of every document filed in court in a case. Case law The law as established in previous court decisions. A synonym for legal precedent. Akin to common law, which springs from tradition and judicial decisions.

Caseload The number of cases handled by a judge or a court.

Cause of action A legal claim.

Undersecured claim A debt secured by property that is worth less than the amount of the debt.

Venue The geographic area in which a court has jurisdiction. A change of venue is a transfer or change of a case from one judicial district to another.

Chambers The offices of a judge and his or her staff.

Interrogatories A form of discovery consisting of written questions to be answered in writing and under oath.

Subpoena duces tecum A command to the witness to produce documents and appear.

Substance abuse treatment A special condition the court imposes that requires an individual to undergo testing and treatment for abuse of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol. Treatment may include outpatient or inpatient counseling and detoxification.

Bankruptcy estate All interests of the debtor in property at a time of the bankruptcy filing, jack hyatt, The estate technically becomes the temporary legal owner of all of the debtor's property.

Bankruptcy judge A judicial officer of the United States district court who is the court official with decision making power over federal bankruptcy cases.

Court reporter Person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court, generally by using the stenographic machine, shorthand or audio recording, and then produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.

De jure Latin, meaning in law. Something that exists by operation of law.

Proof of claim A written statement describing the reason a debtor owes a creditor money, which typically sets forth the amount of money owed. There is an official form for this purpose.

Insider of corporate debtor A director, officer, or party in control of the debtor; a partnership in which a debtor is a general partner; a general partner of the debtor; or a relative of a general partner, director, officer, or person in control of the debtor.

Exemptions, exempt property Certain property owned by an individual debtor that the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law allows the debtor to keep from unsecured creditors. For example, in some states the debtor may be able to exempt all or a portion of the equity in the debtor's primary residence homestead exemption , or some or all tools of the trade used by the debtor to make a living , auto tools for an auto mechanic or dental tools for a dentist . The availability and amount of property the debtor may exempt depends on the state the debtor lives in.

Federal question jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the federal Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.

Inculpatory evidence Evidence indicating that a defendant did commit the crime.

Prebankruptcy preparation The arranging or rearrangement of a debtor's plan to accept the debtor to track peak welfare of exemptions. Prebankruptcy mentation typically includes converting unexcused assets into exempt assets,

In camera Indweller, pregnant in a adjudicator's chambers. Ofttimes effectuation inaccurate the proximity of a jury and the public. In backstage.

Ex parte Proceeding brought before a hotel by one set only, without notice to or gainsay by the separate side, hyatt lawyer, jack i. hyatt, .

Oral statement An opportunity for lawyers to state his or her view before the opening of the case and also to fulfill the judges' questions.

Pretrial services A utility of the courts that reports on a defendant's circumstances to the sentencing judge.

Secured creditor A secured creditor is an individual or business that holds a claim against the debtor that is secured by a lien on property of the estate. The property subject to the lien is the secured creditor's collateral.

Pro se Representing oneself. Serving as one's own lawyer.

Prosecute To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.

Pro tem Temporary.

In forma pauperis In the manner of a pauper. Permission given by a court to a party to file a case without payment of the required court fees because the person cannot pay them.

Information A formal accusation by a government lawyer that the defendant committed a misdemeanor. See also indictment.

Injunction A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action. A preliminary injunction often is issued to allow fact-finding, so a judge can determine whether a permanent injunction is justified.

Priority claim An unsecured claim that is entitled to be paid ahead of other unsecured claims that are not entitled to priority status. Priority refers to the order in which these unsecured claims are to be paid.

Probation Sentencing option in the federal courts. With probation, instead of sending an individual to prison, the court releases the person to the community and orders him or her to complete a period of supervision monitored by a probation officer and to abide by certain conditions.

Liable - Legally responsible

Information A formal accusation by a government lawyer that the defendant committed a misdemeanor.

Injunction A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action. A preliminary injunction often is issued to allow fact-finding, so a judge can determine whether a permanent injunction is justified.

Lawsuit - An action or proceeding in a civil court; term used for a suit or action between two private parties in a court of law

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Legal process - A formal paper that is legally valid; something issuing from the court, usually a command such as a writ or mandate

Malicious prosecution - An action instituted with intention of injuring the defendant and without probable cause, and which terminates in favor of the person prosecuted

Malpractice - Any professional misconduct is characterized by the sudden and instantaneous intent to kill or to cause an injury without caring if the injury kills or not

Mutual assent - A meeting of the minds; agreement

Letters of Administration - Legal document issued by a court that shows an administrator's legal right to take control of assets in a deceased person's name

Ex parte A proceeding brought before a court by one party only, without notice to or challenge by the other side.

Probation officer Officers of the probation office of a court. Probation officer duties include conducting presentence investigations, preparing presentence reports on convicted defendants, and supervising released defendants, jack hyatt, jack i. hyatt, jack hyatt lawyer, .

Acceptance - This is an unambiguous communication that the offer has been accepted. For contracts controlled by the UCC, contracts involving the sales of goods need not mirror the offer's terms. For other contracts, agreements or the acceptance must mirror the offer's terms without omitting, adding, or altering terms. In other words, under the UCC, the acceptance may alter the terms of the offer without becoming a counteroffer. urring opinion agrees with the decision of the majority opinion, but offers further comment or clarification or even an entirely different reason for reaching the same result. Only the majority opinion can serve as binding precedent in future cases. See also precedent

Clerk of court The court officer who oversees administrative functions, especially managing the flow of cases through a court. The clerk's office is often called a court's central nervous system, ack hyatt, jack hyatt lawyer, jack i. hyatt

Collateral Property that is promised as security for the satisfaction of a debt.

Aid and Abet - To actively, knowingly or intentionally assist another person in the commission or attempted commission of a crime. Alford Plea - A plea to a criminal charge that does not admit guilt, but admits that sufficient evidence exists to obtain a conviction.

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Allegation - A statement of the issues in a written document the pleading that a person is prepared to prove in court. For example, an indictment contains allegations of crimes against the defendant.

Alleged - Stated; claimed; asserted; charged. Alternative Dispute Resolution - Settling a dispute without a full or formal trial. Methods include mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and settlement facilitation, among others.

Amend - Improve, correct or change a complaint or other pleading.

Unlawful Search - Examination or inspection of premises or persons without authority of the law and in violation of the immunity from unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Grand jury A body of citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which is presented by the prosecutors, and determine whether there is probable cause to believe an individual committed an offense. See also indictment and U.S. lawyer.

Plaintiff A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.

Plan A debtor's detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors' claims over a fixed period of time.

Concurrent sentence Prison terms for two or more offenses to be served at the same time, rather than one after the other. Example: Two five-year sentences and one three-year sentence, if served concurrently, result in a maximum of five years behind bars.

Confirmation Approval of a plan of reorganization by a bankruptcy judge.

Unsecured - In collection or bankruptcy proceedings, a debt or a claim is unsecured if there is no collateral, or to the extent the value of the collateral is less than the amount of the debt.

Adjudication - Judgment rendered by the court after a determination of the issues.

Writ of Superintending Control - A writ issued to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice by correcting the erroneous ruling of a lower court that is acting within its jurisdiction but is making mistakes of law or is acting in willful disregard of the law. The writ is issued when there is no appeal or when an appeal cannot provide adequate relief.

Accomplice - A partner in a crime. A person who knowingly and voluntarily participates with another in a criminal activity.

Accord and Satisfaction - Compromise and settlement. A way to discharge a claim whereby the parties agree to give and accept something in settlement of the claim that will replace the terms of the parties' original agreement. Accord is the new agreement; satisfaction is performance of the new agreement.

Acknowledgment - A statement of acceptance of responsibility. The short declaration at the end of a legal paper showing that the paper was duly executed and acknowledged.

Will - A legal declaration that disposes of a person's property when that person dies.

Without Prejudice - A claim or cause dismissed without prejudice may be the subject of a new lawsuit.

Warrantless Search - Examination of a person or premises without first obtaining a warrant, which may be lawful under such limited circumstances as a domestic violence situation, emergency, hot pursuit, consent, or threat of immediate removal of contraband.

Administrative Revocation - The taking of a driver's license by the Motor Vehicle Division, through law enforcement agents and administrative law judges without involvement by the courts.

Admissible Evidence - Evidence that can be legally and properly introduced in a civil or criminal trial.

Waive - To give up a known right voluntarily. susch asTo give up the right to an lawyer.

Ad Litem - A Latin that means for the purpose of the lawsuit. A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by the court to protect the interests of a minor or legally incompetent person in a lawsuit.

Administrator - One who administers the estate of a person who dies without a will, jack hyatt, . An official who manages a court.

Waiver of Immunity - A means authorized by statute by which a witness, before testifying or producing evidence, may relinquish the right to refuse to testify against himself or herself, thereby making it possible for his or her testimony to be used against him or her in future court proceedings.

Warrant Most commonly, a court order authorizing law enforcement officers to make an arrest or conduct a search. An affidavit seeking a warrant must establish probable cause by detailing the facts upon which the request is based.

Writ of Certiorari - An order by the appellate court used when the court has the discretion if or not to hear an appeal.

Writ of Mandamus - A writ to compel performance of a person's responsibilities as set forth by law.

Writ of Prohibition - A writ used by a superior court to prevent an inferior court from exceeding its jurisdiction.

Waiver - In extradition proceedings, a form signed before a judge whereby a defendant voluntarily submits to pick-up by a foreign jurisdiction, waiving his her rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.

Affidavit of Insolvency - A detailed form signed by the defendant, under oath, attesting to his her indigency inability to pay for private legal counsel . Affirmative Defense - Apart from denying a charge or claim, a defendant may assert affirmative defenses such as insanity, self-defense or entrapment to avoid criminal responsibility, or assert the statute of limitations or bankruptcy to avoid civil liability.

Vacate - To set aside, as a judgment. vVenire - A writ summoning persons to a court to act as jurors, also refers to the people summoned for jury duty, as in the jury venire or jury panel.

Venue - The place in which prosecution is brought; venue may be in the county of the defendant's residence or in the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.

Vested - Fixed; accrued; settled; absolute.

Verdict - The findings of a judge or jury at the end of the trial.

Procedure The rules for conducting a lawsuit; there are rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure.

Proof of claim A written statement showing the reason a debtor owes a creditor money, which typically sets forth the amount of money owed. There is an official form for this purpose.

Insider of corporate debtor A director, officer, or person in control of the debtor; a partnership in which the debtor is a general partner; a general partner of the debtor; or a relative of a general partner, director, officer, or person in control of the debtor.

Redemption A procedure in a Chapter 7 case whereby a debtor removes a secured creditor's lien on collateral by paying the creditor the value of the property. The debtor may then retain the property.

Habeas corpus Latin, meaning you have the body. A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement. Federal judges receive petitions for a writ of habeas corpus from state prison inmates who say their state prosecutions violated federally protected rights in some way.

Petition The document that initiates the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding, setting forth basic information regarding the debtor, including name, address, chapter under which the case is filed, and estimated amount of assets and liabilities.

Pretrial conference A meeting of the judge and lawyers to plan the trial, to discuss which matters should be presented to the jury, to review proposed evidence and witnesses, and to set a trial schedule. Typically, the judge and the parties also discuss the possibility of settlement of the case.

Secured debt Debt backed by a mortgage, pledge of collateral, or other lien debt for which the creditor has the right to pursue specific pledged property upon default. Examples include home mortgages, auto loans and tax liens.

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

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

Oral Argument - An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their positions before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.

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

Ordinance - A law adopted by the governing body of a municipality or county.

Overrule - A judge's decision not to allow an objection. Also, a decision by a higher court finding that a lower court decision was in error

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

Parol Evidence - Oral evidence.

Parol Evidence Rule - When a written agreement is intended to be a complete and final document, then the terms of the agreement cannot be altered by evidence of oral parol agreements that purport to change, explain, or contradict the written agreement.

Inter Vivos Trust - Another name for living trust.

Intestacy Laws - See Descent and Distribution Statutes.

Intestate - Dying without having a will.

Intestate Succession - The process by which the property of a person who has died without a will passes on to others according to the state's descent and distribution statutes. If someone dies without a will and the court uses the state's intestate succession laws, an heir who receives some of the deceased's property is an intestate heir.

Invoke the Rule - Separation and exclusion of witnesses other than parties from the courtroom.

Mitigating circumstances - Those which do not constitute a justification or excuse for an offense but which may be considered as reasons for reducing the degree of blame 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 hich do not constitute a justification or excuse for an offense but which may be considered as reasons for reducing the degree of blame Motion in Limine - A motion made by counsel requesting that information which might be prejudicial not be allowed to be heard in a case

Opinion - 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 and/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 Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission - The agency established by OSHA to adjudicate enforcement actions under the Act

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