CourtHelp Legal Glossary

1. A person who is supported by another. 2. In law, this usually means a child that is financially supported by another person. In juvenile law, this means a minor (under 18) that is in the custody of the court because they were abused, neglected, or molested or is physically dangerous to the public because of a mental or physical condition.

A person who swears under oath to tell the truth.

1. The sworn testimony of a witness. 2. The taking of written or oral testimony under oath in front of an authorized third person like a court reporter. Depositions usually take place outside of court. Depositions are also known as examinations before trial (EBT).

An act committed by a person aged 13,14 or 15 which, if committed by an adult, would be classified as one of the following: murder, kidnapping, arson, assault, manslaughter, rape, criminal social act, or robbery.

Certain serious violent-act crimes committed or allegedly committed by a 13, 14, or 15 year old.

A written notice given by a police officer to a person arrested telling them to appear in court at a later date.

When a person is temporarily jailed until the court makes a final decision.

The judgment or decision made by a court or administrative agency.

A gift or transfer by a will of property.

A person receiving property from a will.

A part of a written opinion in a court case that is related to the case, but not needed to decide it. It can't be used as precedent in future cases.

When a witness answers questions asked by the party that brought them to testify (speak) under oath. Compare cross-examination.

A procedure that orders an employer in another state to hold support money from an employee’s paycheck without having to go through the IV-D agency or court system in that state. With this order, withholding can start right away, unless the obligor doesn’t agree, and no court pleadings are required.

An instruction to the jury by the Judge telling it what to decide.

The paying out of money.

Out of pocket expenses given to the winner in a judgment.

When the party who starts a case decides to end it.

The gathering of information (facts, documents, or testimony) before a case goes to trial. Discovery is done in many ways, like through depositions, interrogatories, or requests for admissions.

Denying a person rights or privileges because of a person's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, source of income, age, disability, if the person is married, or if there are children under the age of 18 in the person's home. Discrimination also can be refusal to make reasonable arrangements for a person with a disability.

An order that ends a case.

When a court ends a case and will not allow any other case to be filed using the same claim in the future. Cases dismissed with prejudice can be appealed.

When a court ends a case but will still allow another suit to be started using the same claim.

What’s left of an employee’s income after making legally required deductions, like taxes. Disposable income is used to decide how much of the employee’s pay will be taken for a garnishment, attachment, etc.

To end a case.

The final decision in a case.