Legal Terminology T - W

temporary restraining order

Forbids a person from taking an action that may cause irreparable harm; it lasts until a hearing is held on the merits of the issue

Tenancy in common or joint tenancy

Ownership of real property by two or more persons, each of whom has an undivided interest, whether with or without the right of survivorship

Testimony

Evidence given by a witness under oath

Tort

A civil wrong

Tortfeasor

A defendant who is alleged or is actually found to have committed a civil wrong

Transcript

Verbatim record of what is said in court or other legal proceedings

trier of fact

One with the responsibility to decide what evidence is true or which witnesses are to be believed

United States Code (U.S.C.)

The body of federal legislation enacted by Congress

Venue

The geographic area in which a court has jurisdiction; on a legal template, this would include the name of the court in which a case has been filed, as well as the location of said court 

Verdict

The decision made by a jury in a criminal matter

Verdict Form

The offical form presented by a jury to the court proffering it findings

Voir dire jury

Examination of perspective jurors to see if they are qualified to sit on a jury

Voir dire witness

Examination of a witness, particularly an expert witness, as to qualifications to testify on a matter; means literally “to see” or to “to say”

Warrant

Judicial permission to law enforcement agents to conduct a search of premises or persons or identify evidence of a possible crime

Within the four corners

The actual contents of documents that require no special interpretation; a document speaks for itself

Writ

Court order requiring that an act be performed or granting authority to perform an act

Writ of certiorari

A common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case