Plaintiff
The party that starts a civil case.
Plea
In a criminal case, the defendant’s answer to the charges. For example “guilty” or “not guilty.”
See:
Plea bargain
1. The negotiation between the prosecuting attorney and the person accused of a crime, or that person's lawyer, to trade a guilty plea for a conviction of a smaller charge, if the court approves. 2. The agreement that is made after this negotiation.
Plead guilty
When a defendant admits to what they have been charged with.
Pleading
A written statement given to the court describing a party's claims about the case and what the party wants from the court.
Pleadings
In a civil case, the group of papers made up of the complaint or petition, the answer, and the reply.
Plenary
1. Full, complete, entire. 2. A meeting that is attended by all members. 3. A court case that decides all of the issues.
Polling of jury
At the end of a trial, when jurors are asked individually if they agree with the final verdict in the case they just decided.
Poor person application
When a person asks the court to be allowed to not pay the court fees because they do not have the money. This is also called a fee waiver.
Poor person order
The order stopping all costs and fees in a case for a poor person.
Possession
1. When a person has control of a place or a thing.
Possessory judgment
An order from the court giving control of an item, place or space.
Post
1. A prefix that means "after," like in "post-trial" matters. 2. To put up or get publicity for something in a public place to bring it to the public's attention, as in "to post a notice of sale." 3. To make a payment or deposit. 4. To put in the mail.
Power of attorney
A document that says one person can legally act for another.
Pre
A prefix that means "in front of" or "before," like in "pre-trial" hearing.
Pre-arraignment bail
Money a person may have to pay to be released from custody after arrest but before arraignment.
See:
Pre-trial motion
In criminal court, it is a request by either side to do something in a case before going to trial. This request is normally made within 45 days of arraignment.
Precedent
Another case with similar issues of law and facts that is used as an example for the current case. Judges will generally “follow precedent” unless one of the parties can show that the other case was decided incorrectly or was different in some important way.
Preclude
To prevent or stop.
Predicate felon
A person convicted of a felony after having been previously convicted of a felony within the past ten years.
Predicate notice
A paper that needs to be served before starting some cases in court. For example, in Landlord/tenant: A Rent Demand.
Preliminary examination/hearing
A proceeding to find out if there is enough reason for a person to be held responsible for a criminal charge.
Preliminary executor
A person who acts as an estate’s administrator before the will is probated.
Preliminary instructions
Guidelines about trial procedure given to a jury by the Judge at the start of a trial.
Presentence report
A report made by the probation department for the Judge when sentencing a defendant. It tells about the defendant's background; financial, job, and family status; community ties; criminal history; and facts of the current offense. A presentence report must be done in felony cases and can also be asked for in misdemeanor cases.