Chapter 1: Intro to Tort Law

affirm

• appellate court agrees with verdict of trial court; no further action

answer

• document of the the defendant’s response to the plaintiff’s allegations

case law

• cases decided by judges who’ve interpreted statutes and prior cases

cause of action

• legal injury on which lawsuit can be based

• needs to be recognized by law

certiorari

• power of court to decide which cases it will hear or not

complaint

• first pleading in a suit which plaintiff sets out cause of action against defendant and requests some form of remedy to be awarded

damages

• money losing side must pay

defendant

• the party responding to the plaintiff’s complaint

guilt

• someone found to be responsible for causing harm or damage

indictment

• official document by grand jury accusing defendant of a criminal act

liable

• to be obligated to pay other party

motion for directed verdict

• motion from defending side to dismiss case due to plaintiff failing to prove claims of complaint

plaintiff

• person filing complaint/allegations to which defendant must respond

pleadings

• document describing legal injuries and counterclaims raised by parties in a civil case

remand

• take back case to trial court if new allegation or issue arose and requires review

reverse

• to disagree with verdict and reverse original verdict

stare decisis

• “to stand by what’s decided”

• follow the same procedure and decision as past cases

verdict

• final decision

voir dire

• the act of striking juror candidates for bias or prejudice and keep others until there’s only 6-12 left for jury box