CourtHelp Legal Glossary

1. A guarantee that a person will do something. A promise. 2. A written promise to pay money or do something if something happens or a certain amount of time passes.

The steps taken by the police when someone is arrested. Includes taking fingerprints, photographs, and writing down personal information about the person.

Examining someone’s breath to see how much alcohol is in his or her body. Sometimes called a Breathalyzer test.

1. A written statement that each side gives the court to say why the court should decide in his or her favor. 2. A short amount of time.

A person's duty to prove the truth of his or her claim.

When someone unlawfully breaks into or enters a building or home to commit a theft or other serious crime (felony).

Civil Practice Law and Rules: The New York State law that gives procedure for civil cases.

A daily list of all the cases to be heard in a courtroom. "To calendar" something means to give a day, time, and courtroom to a case.

The calling of the names of the cases listed on the calendar by the clerk. Usually done at the beginning of the court day.

The number assigned to a case when the case is scheduled for trial by the court. It is different from the index number that is given when the case is filed with the clerk. A separate fee is charged for the calendar number.

What is written at the top of all court papers. It says things like the names of the parties, court, and case number.

1. A lawsuit. 2. A complaint filed in any court. The folder that has the official court papers case file: for a case.

A case is conferenced with both sides and the judge or the judge’s court attorney to try to settle the case before going to trial.

Law made by other decisions in similar cases.

Identification number that the court clerk’s office gives a case. This number is on all papers filed in the case.

The number of cases a Judge has to hear.

Family Court. A person assigned to help families and, if a case is started, to testify about what they did to help. Caseworkers may work for a government or a private agency.

Court employee who can accept payments for services.

1. A group of facts used as a reason to sue. 2. Grounds that say a case can be started. 3. The charges (or "counts") that are in the case or lawsuit.

Latin. “Let the buyer beware.” The idea that a person buys things at his or her own risk.

A document where a fact is formally sworn to and has an official seal. Example: A death certificate.

Document required by the New York City Housing Maintenance Code for the landlord/owner to certify that violations have been corrected.

An official court document that says the status of a case or its final result.

A certificate from the state board of parole to eligible persons who have two or more felony convictions and any number of misdemeanor convictions. It clears barriers from state or municipal law, and is the proof of rehabilitation that an employer is required by law to consider when a person applies for a job.

A paper given to the court saying that you are ready for trial.