RUSSO & Pedranghelu

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Legal Glossary AFFIDAVIT A written statement made under oath. ALIMONY The money paid by one spouse to the other in order to fulfill the financial obligation that comes with marriage. AMICUS CURIAE Latin for "friend of the court." Refers to a party that is allowed to provide information without being involved in the case. ANNULMENT A legal decree that states that a marriage was never valid. APPEAL A request to a supervisory court to overturn the legal ruling of a lower court. ARRAIGNMENT The initial appearance before a judge in a criminal case. BAIL The money a defendant pays as a guarantee that he or she will show up in court at a later date. BANKRUPTCY A process to help when people cannot pay their debts. BENCH TRIAL A trial held before a judge and without a jury. BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT Proof required to win a case. BINDER An outline of the basic terms of a proposed sales contract. BOND A document with which one party promises to pay another within a specified amount of time. BURDEN OF PROOF The duty of a party in a lawsuit to persuade the judge or the jury that enough facts exist to prove the allegations of the case. BY-LAWS A corporation's rules and regulations. BYPASS TRUST Allows each member of a couple to use the $600,000 estate tax exemption. CAPITAL GAIN The profit made from the sale of a capital asset. CASE LAW Ccreated by judges when deciding individual cases. CAVEAT EMPTOR Latin for "buyer beware." Generally applies to all sales between individuals. CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY A person's assets are liquidated and the proceeds are distributed to the creditors. CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY A person keeps his assets and pays creditors according to an approved plan. CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE Indirect evidence that implies something occurred but doesn't directly prove it. CLASS ACTION SUIT A lawsuit in which one or more parties file a complaint on behalf of themselves. CODICIL A supplement to a will. COHABITATION AGREEMENT Addresses financial issues and how property will be divided. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT The contract that spells out the terms of employment between a labor union and an employer. COMMON-LAW MARRIAGE In some states, a couple is considered married if they meet certain requirements. COMMUNITY PROPERTY Property acquired by a couple during their marriage. COMPENSATORY DAMAGES Money awarded to reimburse actual costs. CONSERVATOR Person appointed to manage the finances of another. CONTEMPT OF COURT An action that interferes with a judge's ability to administer justice. DAMAGES The financial compensation awarded to someone who was harmed by someone's wrongful act. DEED A written legal document that describes a piece of property. DEFAMATION The publication of a statement that injures a person's reputation. DEFENDANT The person accused of the crime. DEPOSITION Part of the pre-trial discovery process in which a witness testifies under oath. DIRECT EVIDENCE Evidence that stands on its own. DIRECTED VERDICT A judge's order to a jury to return a specified verdict. DOUBLE JEOPARDY Being tried twice for the same offense. DUE PROCESS The idea that laws and legal proceedings must be fair. EMANCIPATION When a minor has achieved independence.

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