Law

punitive damages

noun

/pjˈuːnɪtˌɪv dˈæmɪdʒᵻz/

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an extra financial compensation awarded in a lawsuit to punish the defendant for bad behavior and deter future wrongdoing

to co-sign

Verb

/kˈoʊsˈaɪn/

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to sign a document or agreement jointly with another person, taking equal responsibility for fulfilling its terms

intestacy

noun

/ɪn.tɛs.tə.si/ or /in.tes.tē.si/

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the condition of dying without a valid will, leaving the distribution of one's estate to be determined by the laws of intestate succession rather than specific instructions in a will

bar

noun

/bɑr/ or /baar/

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the physical railing or barrier in a courtroom that separates participants from the judge

litigator

noun

/lɪ.tə.geɪ.tɜr/ or /li.tē.gei.tēr/

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a lawyer who specializes in bringing a lawsuit against people or organizations in a court of law

probable cause

noun

/pɹˈɑːbəbəl kˈɔːz/

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the reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred or will occur

injunction

noun

/ɪn.ʤənk.ʃən/ or /in.jēnk.shēn/

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a legal order from a court that requires a party to do or refrain from doing a specific action

affidavit

noun

/æ.fə.deɪ.vət/ or /ā.fē.dei.vēt/

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a written statement affirmed by oath that can be used as evidence in court

deposition

noun

/dɛ.pə.zɪ.ʃən/ or /de.pē.zi.shēn/

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a recorded testimony given outside of court by a witness or party involved in a legal case, used as evidence in future proceedings

notary

noun

/noʊ.tɜ.ri/ or /nooo.tē.ri/

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an official authorized to conduct particular legal formalities, especially to make documents legally acceptable

adjournment

noun

/ə.ʤɜrn.mənt/ or /ē.jērn.mēnt/

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the temporary suspension or postponement of a legal proceeding or meeting

docket

noun

/dɑ.kət/ or /daa.kēt/

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a list of cases scheduled for a court's consideration, including details such as case numbers, parties involved, and hearing dates

acquittal

noun

/ək.wɪ.təl/ or /ēk.vi.tēl/

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an official judgment in court of law that declares someone not guilty of the crime they were charged with

infraction

noun

/ɪn.fræk.ʃən/ or /in.frāk.shēn/

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the act of breaking or not obeying a law, agreement, etc.

indictment

noun

/ɪn.daɪt.mənt/ or /in.dait.mēnt/

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a formal accusation of a crime

parole

noun

/pɜ.roʊl/ or /pē.roool/

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(law) the permission for a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their imprisonment sentence, on the condition of good conduct

to infringe

Verb

/ɪnf.rɪnʤ/ or /inf.rinj/

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to violate someone's rights or property

to annul

Verb

/æ.nəl/ or /ā.nēl/

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to invalidate a legal agreement

subpoena

noun

/sə.pi.nə/ or /sē.pi.nē/

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oe

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Select Your Language

a legal document issued by a court or administrative agency, compelling an individual to appear as a witness, produce certain documents, or provide testimony in a legal proceeding

to exempt

Verb

/ɪ.gzɛmpt/ or /i.gzempt/

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to officially excuse someone from a requirement or obligation

to remand

Verb

/rɪ.mænd/ or /ri.mānd/

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to send a case back to a court of lower authority for additional reconsideration or review

case law

noun

/kˈeɪs lˈɔː/

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the body of law formed by judicial decisions and precedents established in past court cases, used as a basis for deciding similar issues in subsequent legal proceedings

to rescind

Verb

/ris.ɪnd/ or /ris.ind/

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to officially cancel a law, decision, agreement, etc.

remit

noun

/ri.mɪt/ or /ri.mit/

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the process of sending a legal case from one court to another for review or resolution, often due to jurisdictional or procedural reasons

ordinance

noun

/ɔr.də.nəns/ or /awr.dē.nēns/

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an official rule or order that is imposed by the law or someone with authority