Tribal bar vocabulary

Ex parte

one sided proceedings

Ex parte Order

A temporary court order signed by a judge after hearing from only one party, without notifying or waiting for the other party to respond.

Plaintiff

The person, business, or organization that files a civil lawsuit.

Defendant

The person denying actions or whom relief is sought from in a civil case, or the accused party in a criminal case.

Petitioner

A person business or organization who presents a formal, written petition to a court.

Respondent

The opposing party in a petition-based case.

Appellant

The party who appeals a lower court's judgment or order to a higher court.

Appellee

The responding party in a case appealed to a higher court.

Jurisdiction

the extent of the power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Voir dire

The legal process of questioning prospective jurors or witnesses to evaluate competence or bias.

Extradition

The formal process where one government surrenders an individual to another to face criminal prosecution.

Peremptory Challenge

A lawyer's objection to a proposed juror, made without needing to give any reason.

Probable Cause

A sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been committed.

Indian

Any person who is a member of an Indian tribe.

Juvenile

A person who has not reached the age of 18.

Sentence

The punishment given to a person convicted of a crime.

Judgment

The final decision made by a court.

Order

A direction issued by a judge requiring a person to do or not do something.

Fine

Monetary charges imposed upon individuals convicted of an offense.

Suspended Sentence

Delaying a defendant's serving of a sentence to allow a period of probation.

Deferred Imposition of Sentence

Holding back a sentence completely; it can be erased if probation conditions are met.

Plea Bargain

An agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge.

Repealed

The formal removal or reversal of a law.

Concurrent Jurisdiction

When two or more different courts simultaneously have power over a case.

Guardian ad Litem

A person appointed by the court to protect the interests of someone unable to care for themselves.