Power Of Attorney

A document which gives a person the right to make binding decisions for another.

Praecipe Or Precipe

Latin, the initiating document would be presented to a court to be officially issued on behalf of the court, but now mostly refers to the covering memo or letter from a lawyer which accompanies and formallly asks tem for the write to be issued by the court clerk.

Preamble

the beginning or introduction; often used at the beginning of a statute to explain the key components described thereafter 

Precatory Words

Words that express a wish or a desire rather than a clear command.

Precedent

A case which establishes legal principles to a certain set of facts.

Preferred Shares

A share in a company that has some kind of special right or privilege attached to it.

Preliminary Hearing

 the initial hearing at which the prosecutor presents applicable evidence to a judge to show probable cause for the arrest and that the individual committed a crime; can also refer to any court proceeding that occurs before an actual trial

Premeditation

the planning out of a crime that displays complete consciousness and intent in making the decision to commit said crime

Premises Liability

The liability of an occupier of real estate towards injury to others.

Preponderance

A word describing evidence that persuades a judge or jury to lean to one side as opposed to the other during the course of litigation.