Legal Terminology F - J

F.2d, F.3d

Second and third sets of published federal appellate decisions; the Federal Reporter series of volumes

Federal question

A case or issue which involves federal law or constitutional claims

Forum

Venue, tribunal

Geographic Jurisdiction

Area within which a court may exercise its authority to hear cases

Grand jury

A special jury in criminal law which determines if evidence is sufficient to warrant a trial; if the evidence is sufficient, the grand jury issues an indictment

Gravamen

The part of a change that weighs most heavily against the accused, or the primary subject matter of an issue

Hearsay

Statement made by someone other than the witness who is testifying

Hearsay exception

Exception on rules of hearsay

Hearsay rule

Rules on second - or third party statements; set of rules defining what is what is not hearsay

Hostile witness

A witness called by one side but whose interest lie with the other party

Hypothecate

To pledge property as collateral for a debt

Impeached

Testimony contradicted with sufficient proof as to affect a witness’s credibility

Indictment

Document that a grand jury delivers once it has decided there probable cause that the person committed the crime

Inference

Logical conclusion drawn from a basis assumed or known to be true

Informant

Someone who gives information, especially against someone else

Injunction

An order either forbidding or, in some circumstances, compelling an action

Interlocutory

Provisional, temporary, not yet finalized

Interrogatories

Written questions posed before trial; written answers may be used during trial

Intervenor

A person voluntarily joining in an action, with permission of the court

Intestate

Dying without having prepared a valid will

Joinder

Joining lawsuits together, or joining parties together in a single suit

Joint tenancy

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

Judgement

Official court decision

Junior Mortgage

A mortgage next in line to prior mortgage; a senior mortgage is paid off first

Jury Instructions

The court’s explanation of the law applicable in a case, given to the jury before their deliberations begin

Jury venire

An entire panel from which a jury is drawn; short for venire facias

Justiciable

An issue which a court is capable to decide; a question appropriate for judicial consideration

Foreperson

Juror chosen by jury who is charged with overseeing jury deliberations