Minimum Legal Terms Everyone Should Know
Lawyers make tons of money because legal things are hard . They study our legal system so we don’t have to. However, there are a few key terms that everyone should know – and it doesn’t take an expensive education to learn them – when you inevitably have to maneuver through our convoluted legal system.
What is a legal “action”?
A lawsuit is a lawsuit in which a party or parties sue each other. That’s all. In legal language, you will hear many words that simply mean the same thing as simpler ones. This is one of those.
What is an “affidavit”?
An affidavit is a written statement made under oath, signed by a notary or other person authorized to take the oath. This is important because if anything contained in the affidavit turns out to be false, the person taking the oath can be charged with perjury.
What is an “advisor”?
The lawyer may refer to your lawyer or the advice he gives you. You will hear it used interchangeably with the words “lawyer” and “lawyer”.
What is “damage”?
The damage is indemnified to the one who has suffered any injury or loss as a result of the actions of someone else. Compensatory damages are awarded for injury or financial loss, and punitive damages are issued to punish the defendant for their actions.
What is a “grand jury”?
A grand jury is made up of ordinary people – between 16 and 23 people – who hear the prosecution and defense, consider the evidence, and then determine whether someone on trial is guilty or not guilty of the crimes they are accused of. The right to trial by jury is enshrined in the 5th Amendment to the US Constitution.
What is an “order”?
It is a court order that compels a party to act or refrain from doing a certain act under threat of punishment. For example, let’s say you’re going through a nasty divorce and you and your spouse own a business together. Your spouse can file an injunction to keep you from making unilateral decisions or selling the company out of them.
What is “responsibility”?
In the legal world, responsibility is comparable to responsibility. It is your legal responsibility for your actions. If you do not fulfill your obligations under the law, you may be held liable for damages.
What is legal “negligence”?
Negligence can be a bit subjective, but it basically refers to the inability to act as a “reasonable or prudent person” would in the same particular situation. This is not an intentional violation, but it can still cause harm and lead to action.
What is legal “inaction”?
This word refers to inaction when required by law. Imagine, say, a doctor who watches someone bleed, but does not give first aid because he cannot be disturbed.
What is a “standard of proof”?
The standard of proof is the degree of proof required even to bring charges against a defendant in a lawsuit. The standard ranges from preponderance of evidence to clear and convincing and beyond reasonable doubt, being beyond reasonable doubt the highest standard of proof that must be met for a criminal conviction to be found.
What is a “pro bono job”?
The term refers to cases where a lawyer (or attorney ) works with a client for free. Although they are not required everywhere, the American Bar Association encourages lawyers to give at least 50 hours of free services per year.
What is “about se”?
This, like pro bono, is a Latin phrase. (Lots of legal phrases.) This refers to your right to defend yourself in court. You still probably shouldn’t, even after reading this entire glossary. Again, it is thanks to a deep knowledge of the law that lawyers earn a lot of money.
What is “evidence”?
It’s like an affidavit, but it’s spoken, not written. The similarity, however, is that the person who testifies must still tell the truth or risk being charged with perjury.
What is a legal “verdict”?
This is the final decision made by the jury and determines whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. The verdict cannot be reversed after it has been passed by the presiding judge, except on appeal.
What is an “order”?
A warrant is a document issued by a court that gives the police the necessary permission to arrest a person or search their property. Before you obey an officer, always make sure he has a warrant. Anything they find without it will be thrown out of court if you can prove they didn’t have a warrant.