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Original jurisdiction
The court in which a matter must first be filed.
Guardian
A guardian has the authority to consent, on behalf of an infant, child or incompetent, to marriage, enlistment in the armed forces, or major medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment. Includes legal custody
Preponderance of evidence
Evidence that is (even minimally) of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence, which is offered in opposition to it. This is the standard by which a plaintiff must prove his/her case in a civil suit.
Amicus curiae
A friend of the court; a nonparty who interposes, with the permission of the court, and volunteers information upon some matter before the court.
Contract
An oral or written agreement between two or more parties, which is enforceable by law.
Habeas corpus
Latin phrase meaning "you have the body"; a civil proceeding used to review the legality of a prisoner's confinement in criminal cases. Habeas corpus actions are commonly used as a means of reviewing state or federal criminal convictions. The petitioner alleges the convictions violated state or federal constitutional rights. State habeas proceedings start in state District Court; federal habeas proceedings start in federal District Court. Lower court decisions may be appealed to appellate courts.
Dissent
A term commonly used to denote the disagreement of one or more judges of a court of appeals with the decision of the majorityA term commonly used to denote the disagreement of one or more judges of a court of appeals with the decision of the majority
Prejudicial evidence
Evidence which might unfairly sway the judge or jury to one side or the other. For example, photographs of a gory murder scene might inflame a jury without providing useful evidence. May be excluded in criminal cases if prejudicial effect outweighs probative value.
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