Search Dictionary
Browse Alphabetically (A-Z)
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
Most Popular Legal Definitions
plea bargaining
Negotiations during a criminal trial between an accused offender and a
prosecutor in which the accused agrees to admit to a crime (usually a lesser
offense than the original), in order to avoid the expense of a public trial, and
in turn the prosecutor agrees to ask for a more lenient sentence than would have
been recommended if the case had proceeded to a full trial.
appellant
the party who appeals a trial court decision
they have lost
a posteriori
From Latin, applies to a determination derived from or based on inductive
reasoning or empirical evidence. Involves the flow of reasoning from facts to
general principals or general causes to effects (as opposed to a priori)
corollary relief
relief sought from a Court which is incidental or consequential to another
principal relief
sanctuary
A special criminal law option available in Medieval times to persons who had
just committed a crime, allowing them to seek refuge in a church or
monastery.
twinkie defense
a claim by a criminal defendant that at the time
of the crime he/she was of diminished mental capacity due to intake of too much
sugar.
heresy
A historic criminal offense, the act of public
denial of Christian doctrines.
kangaroo Court
A judicial proceeding or trial which has a predetermined outcome or where basic
legal rights of a party are jumped over.
bondsman
1) someone who sells bail bonds 2) a surety
(guarantor or insurance company, who/which provides bonds for performance
bias
the predisposition of a judge, arbitrator, prospective juror, or anyone making a
judicial decision, against or in favor of one of the parties or class of persons