100 words every lawyer should know

Actus reus

Criminal act or unlawful conduct.

Affidavit

Written sworn statement.

Answer

Defendant's written response to a complaint.

Alibi

Claim or proof of being elsewhere when a crime occurred.

Appeal

Request for higher court review of a legal decision.

Arbitration

Private dispute resolution conducted by an arbitrator.

Arraignment

First formal court appearance on criminal charges.

Attorney

Lawyer authorized to act on behalf of clients.

Bail

Money or property pledged to secure court appearance.

Bankruptcy

Legal process providing debt relief to individuals or businesses.

Beneficiary

Person receiving a benefit from a trust, policy, or will.

Bequest

Gift of personal property made by a will.

Breach

Violation of a legal duty or contractual obligation.

Brief

Written legal argument submitted to a court.

Complaint

Formal document starting a civil lawsuit.

Consideration

Something of value exchanged in a contract.

Contract

Binding legal agreement between parties.

Conviction

Formal court finding of guilt.

Corporation

Separate legal business entity distinct from its owners.

Counsel

Lawyer or legal advice.

Cross-examination

Questioning of an opposing witness during trial.

Custody

Legal care, control, and guardianship of a person.

Damages

Monetary compensation awarded for loss or injury.

Deed

Document transferring real property ownership.

Defendant

Person sued in a civil case or accused in a criminal case.

Defense

Party opposing a claim or charge, or the arguments used.

Deposition

Sworn out-of-court testimony taken during discovery.

Discovery

Pretrial exchange of evidence and information.

Divorce

Legal dissolution of a marriage.

Duress

Coercive pressure destroying free choice in an agreement.

Easement

Legal right to use another person's land.

Estate

Person's total property, assets, and financial interests.

Estoppel

Legal bar preventing a party from making inconsistent claims.

Evidence

Proof presented in court to establish facts.

Executor

Person appointed to administer a will.

Felony

Serious crime typically punishable by severe penalties.

Fiduciary

Party legally bound to act in the best interest of another.

Foreclosure

Forced sale of property after loan default.

Fraud

Intentional deception committed for financial or personal gain.

Guardian

Person legally responsible for caring for another.

Habeas corpus

Legal petition challenging unlawful detention or imprisonment.

Hearing

Court proceeding to decide specific issues of fact or law.

Hearsay

Out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.

Holding

Court's binding legal ruling in a decision.

Immunity

Exemption or protection from legal liability.

Impeachment

Attack on the credibility of a witness.

Indemnity

Contractual protection or compensation against loss or liability.

Indictment

Formal criminal charge issued by a grand jury.

Infringement

Unauthorized use violating legal rights like patents or copyrights.

Injunction

Court order commanding or prohibiting a specific action.

Insolvency

Inability to pay debts as they become due.

Intestate

Dying without leaving a valid will.

Judgment

Court's final decision resolving a dispute.

Jurisdiction

Court's legal authority to hear and decide a case.

Juror

Individual serving on a jury.

Jury

Group of citizens impaneled to decide factual issues at trial.

Lease

Contract granting temporary possession and use of property.

Liability

Legal responsibility for harm, debt, or obligation.

Lien

Legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt.

Litigation

Process of taking legal action through the court system.

Majority opinion

Primary written decision expressing the agreement of most judges.

Mandamus

Judicial order compelling a government official to perform a duty.

Mediation

Assisted negotiation facilitated by a neutral third party.

Mens rea

Criminal intent or guilty state of mind.

Misdemeanor

Less serious crime typically punished by light penalties.

Mortgage

Loan agreement secured by real property.

Motion

Formal request made to a judge for a specific ruling.

Negligence

Failure to exercise reasonable care, causing damage.

Oath

Solemn declaration to tell the truth.

Objection

Formal protest raised against evidence or questioning in court.

Offer

Proposal expressing willingness to enter into a contract.

Perjury

Crime of intentionally lying under oath.

Plaintiff

Party initiating a civil lawsuit.

Plea

Defendant's formal response to criminal charges.

Pleading

Formal written court document stating claims or defenses.

Precedent

Earlier court decision serving as a rule for future cases.

Principal

Person who authorizes an agent to act on their behalf.

Probable cause

Reasonable basis for believing a crime was committed.

Prosecution

Government entity bringing criminal charges against an accused.

Remedy

Legal means to enforce a right or redress an injury.

Res judicata

Rule preventing a decided matter from being relitigated.

Search warrant

Judicial order authorizing law enforcement to conduct a search.

Sentence

Formal punishment imposed by a court following conviction.

Settlement

Off-court agreement resolving a legal dispute.

Standing

Legal right of a party to bring a lawsuit.

Statute

Written law passed by a legislative body.

Stipulation

Formal agreement between opposing parties regarding facts or procedures.

Subpoena

Official order requiring a person to appear or produce documents.

Testimony

Oral statement given by a witness under oath.

Title

Legal rights establishing ownership of property.

Tort

Civil wrong that causes harm and results in legal liability.

Trademark

Protected brand name, logo, or symbol identifying goods.

Trial

Formal judicial examination of evidence and law.

Trust

Fiduciary arrangement holding property for designated beneficiaries.

Venue

Proper geographic location for a court trial.

Verdict

Formal decision rendered by a jury.

Voir dire

Preliminary questioning of potential jurors or witnesses.

Waiver

Voluntary surrender or relinquishment of a legal right.

Warrant

Judicial order granting authority for official action.

Witness

Person giving evidence under oath.