Glossary of Terms

Glosario de términos Jurídicos

A (7) | B (4) | C (15) | D (7) | E (2) | F (3) | G (1) | H (2) | I (7) | J (4) | L (3) | M (3) | N (1) | O (2) | P (12) | R (3) | S (10) | T (4) | U (2) | V (3) | W (4)
  • Sentence

    The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.

  • Sequester

    To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.

  • Service of Process

    The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.

  • Settlement

    Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

  • Sidebar

    A conference between the judge and lawyers held out of earshot of the jury and spectators.

  • Statute

    A law passed by a legislature.

  • Statute of Limitations

    A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.

  • Subpoena

    A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.

  • Subpoena Duces Tecum

    A command to a witness to produce documents.

  • Summary Judgment

    A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when there is no dispute as to the facts of the case, and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.