CourtHelp Legal Glossary

Slang for legal responsibility for a criminal act. For example: “He took the rap for his partner in crime.”

From the term “Record of Arrests and Prosecutions.” It is a written list of a person’s criminal history. This list can be generated by submitting someone’s name and date of birth or by running his or her fingerprints.

The unlawful sexual intercourse by one person to another against his or her will.

When the lender (like a bank) takes the property after it does not sell at auction.

The belief that a defendant’s guilt has not been proven.

1. Evidence presented at trial by one party to overcome evidence introduced by another. 2. A written response to a written objection to a final order of a Magistrate in Family Court.

A short break in a trial ordered by the judge.

Repeat offender.

A relationship where a state gives certain privileges to other states or the citizens of other states because the first state and its citizens get the same privileges in those other states.

A written list of the proceedings in a case, including all pleadings, evidence, exhibits, and any judgments submitted during the case.

A copy of the pleadings, evidence, exhibits, orders, and judgments, filed in a case in a trial court and a transcript of the testimony from the case.

A system or plan for all records kept by a court that says what records can be disposed of and when.

For a person to remove themself from a case because of a conflict of interest. For example, a Judge may recuse themself from a case because of personal or professional involvement with one or more of the parties.

1. To edit or change. 2. To remove confidential information from a document.

1. To hide or remove information from a document before publication or release. 2. A court rule in some courts that requires the removal of confidential personal information (“CPI”) from court papers, like, social security numbers, birthdates, and tax information.

A person appointed by the court to hear evidence and make a decision in a case or report back to the court. This person is also known as a Special Referee.

The act of sending something to another person or agency for more information, help, services, etc.

When a support order from one state is filed in a new state with the Clerk of the Court in following the rules of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. This allows the child and or supposal support order to be enforced in the new state.

The idea that vocational, correctional, or other trainings given to convicted defendants will help them to re-integrate into society after release.

When a court gives back money that was put up towards bail because it says that the defendant had a good reason for missing court.

To be free from custody without bail while a case is pending. This is usually called parole.

A statement important for the proof of a point in a case.

1. Aid or help given to someone in need. 2. Legal remedy: What a court can do to fix a problem.

The person who gets what is left at the end of the distribution of an estate, or at the end of a life tenancy, or the end of a trust.

1. When an appellate court sends a case to a lower court for more proceedings. 2. To return a prisoner to custody.