CourtHelp Legal Glossary

Electronic movement of money.

Use of an electronic device to keep track of where a sentenced person is and to limit his or her activities, rather than putting the person in jail.

A legal way for children to become adults before they are 18. When a child is emancipated, their parents don't have custody or control of them anymore.

The right of the state to take private property, without the owner’s agreement, for public use after giving fair payment to the owner.

French: “On the bench.” Court sessions where all the Judges of a court participate, instead of the usual number. For example, the U.S. circuit courts of appeals usually use panels of three judges, but all the Judges in the court can decide certain matters together. When that happens, they are sitting "en banc."

To sign your name on a document to accept or transfer its contents. For example, a check that is endorsed (signed) to transfer money to a bank.

Copies of court papers that are stamped to show when they were filed.

To take legal steps to make sure someone obeys a judgment.

To make someone do or not do something.

1. The acts by agents of the government to get a person to commit a crime. 2. A defense that a person would not have committed a crime but the agent’s lie or encouragement made them do it.

Signing and filing of a judgment by the clerk.

1. To deal fairly and equally. This means not only a fair decision based on the law, but also a judgment with common-sense ideas of fairness and justice. 2. Describes civil suits in "equity" instead of in "law." In the legal history of England, courts of "law" could order only the payment of damages. Courts of "equity" could order someone to do something or to stop doing something. In the American legal system, courts have power both in law and in equity. Usually, there can be trial by jury in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases.

The way marital property must be divided by law in New York State in a divorce.

1. Fairness; impartiality; even-handed dealings. 2. A system of law that supplements the statutory and case law and is based on principles of what is "fair and right."

The right of the State to take property of someone who dies when there is no one to inherit it.

A deposit (a deed, a document or money) with a third party (like a bank) to be held until some condition is met.

All the property of an adult, a child, a trust or someone who has died.

To stop, bar, or impede.

1. An act or statement that keeps a person from saying something opposite from what was said before. 2. The principle that keeps a person from going against what the court has said is true.

Latin: "And others." Refers to the other parties that are not listed in the formal name of a court case.

Latin: “And another.”

Latin: "And wife."

1. Removal of a person and their personal property from a place. 2. A court case to remove a tenant or occupant from a rental unit because they have violated the rental agreement or did not follow the notice asking them to move.

A notice that a sheriff or a marshal gives to a tenant or occupant telling them that they will be evicted by a certain date.

Any case that may result in the eviction of the person who is being taken to court.