Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Precedent A rule of law that is established by an appellate court in an earlier case serves as binding precedent in all subsequent similar cases. Fraud An intentional perversion of truth; deceitful practice or device resorted to with intent to deprive another of property or other right Fourteenth Amendment Among other matters, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without adequate due process. Protective custody The name of the public officer who is appointed in each county to conduct criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state or people. Commit To send a person to prison or jail in criminal proceedings, or to another institution in civil cases by authority of a court. Petit jury The ordinary jury of twelve (or fewer) persons for the trial of a civil or criminal case. So called to distinguish it from the grand jury. Dispositional report In Juvenile Court, a written report relating to the child's mental, physical, and social history, submitted by the juvenile probation department or other designated agency to assist the judge in determining a proper disposition Impeachment of witness An attack on the credibility of a witness.

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	Did You Know?
	The mediation process may vary depending on the mediator. Generally, mediations commence with a general session with all parties, counsel and the mediator. At the general session, there will be a discussion of the case, the issues on appeal and other matters important to settlement. Then the mediator will meet separately with each party and their counsel in separate "caucuses." In these separate sessions, the mediator will seek to foster negotiations between the parties and develop agreement.