A crime of a more serious nature than a misdemeanor. In general, an offence may be punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year. The categories of offences and permissible penalties are as follows: for Class A crimes, imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years and not more than thirty years, or life imprisonment; for Class B offences, a term of not less than five years and not more than fifteen years; for Class C offences, a maximum period of seven years; for a Class D felony, a maximum period of five years. Suit – A lawsuit brought by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a claim that the defendant failed to comply with a legal obligation, causing harm to the plaintiff. Common Law – The legal system that originated in England and is now used in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions and not on laws passed by the legislature. The glossary of legal terms defines more than 100 of the most common legal terms in easy-to-understand language. The terms are listed in alphabetical order and can be best accessed by selecting a letter here: Judgment – The official decision of a court that finally decides the respective rights and claims of the parties to a dispute. Parole, usually under the supervision of a probation officer, is a prisoner who has served part of the sentence for which he or she was convicted. The probationary period may be revoked if the conditions set out in the probation order are not met.
advice – legal advice; A term used to refer to lawyers in a case. The surrender of a person from one State to another that the second State intends to prosecute. An offence less serious than a felony and punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The categories of offences and concepts are as follows: for a category A offence, a period not exceeding one year; in the case of a class B administrative offence, a maximum period of six months; and for a class C administrative offence, a maximum period of fifteen days. A term that is no longer used. See Certificate for registration status. A number of persons (traditionally 12) chosen to decide the substantive issues in a dispute. Also small jury. In U.S. law, the state`s right to an estate for which there is no person legally qualified to inherit or claim the estate.
In the law of evidence, the presence of the characteristics that make a witness legally fit and able to testify. In inheritance law, a person`s ability to manage and take care of themselves and their own affairs. A term used to indicate that a court has jurisdiction over all disputes that may be brought under legal rights and remedies. Opposed to a special or limited jurisdiction. The term referred to various procedures that allow the parties to a dispute to know the factual details of the opposing party`s case. Includes written examinations, testimony, submission of documents, etc. An official who chooses names to be placed in a jury wheel or who draws the jury for a court session. A court order requiring all witnesses (except parties) to remain outside the courtroom until everyone is called to testify. Also known as the “witness exclusion” or “witness rule”. The person or company who posts a bond in a criminal case to ensure the performance of the client (defendant) in his appearance in court, compliance with probation conditions, etc. Legal order requiring the competent official to execute a judgment, sanction or decree.
A term derived from Roman law refers to a person who has a special relationship of trust, trust, or responsibility in his or her obligations to others. In 1939, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the case in United States v. Miller. 307 U.S. 174. The court took a collective rights approach in that case, ruling that Congress could regulate a sawed-off shotgun that had been moved into interstate commerce under the National Firearms Act of 1934 because the evidence did not suggest that the shotgun “has a reasonable relationship to the preservation or effectiveness of a well-regulated militia.” The court went on to say that the drafters included the Second Amendment to ensure the effectiveness of the military. Case law – The study of the law and the structure of the legal system. The decision of a court that decides issues in a dispute.
As a general rule, a police search of a person or place is not authorized by law to uncover evidence, stolen property, weapons, etc.