CourtHelp Legal Glossary

To substitute one person for another in a legal claim.

A type of legal service. The court papers are left with someone who lives or works at the person's address and copies are mailed to the party.

A court case.

A fixed amount of money or an amount that can be figured out from the document. For example, $900 is the “sum certain”of “three month’s rent at $300.00.”

A decision made by a Judge when the parties agree on the facts but not on how the law applies to the facts. There is no trial and the Judge makes a decision based on the statements given.

The closing arguments by both the prosecution and the defense made to the jury before it makes a decision. Each side reviews the evidence and tries to sway the jury to their views. The prosecution must present a summation. The defense can choose not to make a summation.

A notice to a person that they are being sued. It lets them know where and when the answer must be filed. It also lets the person know that if they don't answer by the deadline, a default judgment may be entered against them.

A legal paper that starts a case and makes the other party (the defendant) file a Notice of Appearance and ask for a complaint by a certain period of time. It says the reason for the action and may also have requests for relief.

A written document that lists the felony and/or misdemeanor charges against the defendant. It is filed by the District Attorney with a superior court when a defendant waives his or her rights to a grand jury hearing.

Visitation between a parent and a child that happens in front of a person named by the court. The court can order supervised visitation when there has been domestic violence, child abuse, or a threat to take the child out of state.

Payment for housing, food, clothing, and related living expenses.

A part of the Human Resource Administration that collects, accounts for, and pays out money, because of an order of support.

Person who can hear and decide support issues in Family Court

A court order that decides the how much money should be paid for the support of a child or spouse (husband or wife). A support order can include money; health care; payment of debts; or repayment of court costs and attorney fees, interest, and penalties; and other kinds of support.

A request to the court to say who is legally responsible for the support of a child, a spouse or a relative, and how much support should be paid.

To stop or prevent something from being seen or heard.

A pre-trial proceeding in a criminal case to decide if getting evidence was done in the right way. If procedures were not followed the right way, the evidence can’t be used.

The Supreme Court generally hears cases that are outside the authority of the lower courts, such as:

civil matters involving higher dollar amounts;

divorce, separation, and annulment proceedings; and

criminal prosecutions of felonies.

Outside New York City, Supreme Courts hear civil matters while the County Courts hear criminal matters.

An office, separate from the County Clerk’s Office, that provides help and official support to the Supreme Court in New York.

A person who agrees to be responsible for the debt or obligation of another person.

An agreement by an insurance company, where the insurer promises to pay the court money (bail) if the defendant does not come to court when they are supposed to.

A book, or record, available to the public that has information about each surety bond filed with the court. It is used by insurance companies to see what's happening with outstanding bail bonds. A company can find out from the register if bail conditions have been met.

A person who volunteers or is appointed by the court to act as a parent of the child.

The court that has power over the affairs of someone who has died, guardianships, and oversees fiduciaries.

The Surrogate's Court hears cases relating to individuals who have passed away, including disagreements about wills and the proper way to manage or divide the estate (total assets and liabilities). Surrogate's courts are also authorized to handle adoptions.