Legal jargon can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating the U.S. legal system for the first time. Understanding key terms can empower you to better communicate with your attorney, understand legal documents, and feel more confident during your case. Here’s a glossary of common legal terms explained in plain language.
A
- Affidavit: A written statement made under oath, used as evidence in court.
- Appeal: A request to a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.
- Arbitration: A private process where a neutral third party resolves a dispute without going to court.
B
- Bail: Money or property given to the court to ensure that a defendant will return for trial.
- Bankruptcy: A legal process for individuals or businesses that cannot pay their debts to seek relief and possibly start over financially.
- Bench Trial: A trial without a jury, where the judge decides the outcome.
C
- Civil Case: A legal case involving disputes between individuals or organizations, typically about money, contracts, or property.
- Class Action: A lawsuit filed by a group of people with similar claims against a defendant.
- Contingency Fee: A payment arrangement where a lawyer is paid a percentage of the settlement or award, only if the case is won.
- Contract: A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.
D
- Damages: Money awarded to compensate for harm or loss.
- Defendant: The person being sued or accused in a legal case.
- Deposition: A sworn, out-of-court testimony recorded during the discovery phase of a lawsuit.
E
- Evidence: Information or objects presented in court to support a case.
- Executor: A person appointed to carry out the instructions in a will.
F
- Felony: A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than a year or by death.
- Foreclosure: The legal process where a lender takes ownership of property when a borrower fails to pay a mortgage.
G
- Garnishment: A court order allowing a creditor to take money directly from a debtor’s wages or bank account.
- Grand Jury: A group of citizens who review evidence to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.
H
- Habeas Corpus: A legal action requiring that someone detained is brought before a judge to determine if their imprisonment is lawful.
- Hearsay: Second-hand information presented as evidence, usually not admissible in court.
I
- Indictment: A formal charge issued by a grand jury accusing someone of a crime.
- Injunction: A court order requiring someone to do or stop doing a specific action.
- Intellectual Property: Legal rights protecting creations like inventions, music, and designs.
J
- Judgment: The final decision made by a court in a case.
- Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear a case and make decisions.
- Jury: A group of citizens who listen to evidence in a trial and decide the outcome.
L
- Lawsuit: A legal action filed by one person or entity against another in court.
- Liability: Legal responsibility for harm or damages caused to another party.
M
- Mediation: A process where a neutral third party helps resolve a dispute outside of court.
- Misdemeanor: A less serious crime punishable by less than a year in jail.
- Motion: A formal request made to the court to make a decision or take a specific action.
N
- Negligence: Failure to act with reasonable care, resulting in harm to someone else.
- Notary Public: A person authorized to witness the signing of documents and administer oaths.
P
- Plaintiff: The person or entity who files a lawsuit.
- Plea Bargain: An agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial.
- Probation: A court-imposed alternative to jail, allowing someone to remain free under supervision.
R
- Restitution: Money paid by a defendant to compensate a victim for loss or injury.
- Restraining Order: A court order prohibiting someone from contacting or approaching another person.
S
- Settlement: An agreement between parties to resolve a lawsuit without going to trial.
- Statute: A written law passed by a legislature.
- Subpoena: A court order requiring someone to appear in court or produce documents.
T
- Testimony: Statements made under oath by a witness in court.
- Tort: A wrongful act that causes harm to someone, leading to civil legal liability.
- Trust: A legal arrangement where one party holds property for the benefit of another.
V
- Verdict: The decision made by a jury or judge in a trial.
- Victim Impact Statement: A statement made by the victim about how a crime has affected their life, often presented during sentencing.
W
- Warrant: A legal document authorizing law enforcement to take a specific action, like searching property or making an arrest.
- Will: A legal document specifying how a person’s assets should be distributed after their death.
- Witness: Someone who provides testimony in a court case.
Final Thoughts
While this glossary covers many common legal terms in the U.S., the law can still be complex. If you encounter unfamiliar terminology in your case, don’t hesitate to ask your attorney for clarification. Understanding these basic terms can give you confidence and help you stay informed throughout the legal process.