CourtHelp Legal Glossary

A person who gets paid to put up the money for bail to allow a witness or defendant to be released from custody. If the defendant or witness does not come to court as ordered, the bondsman must pay the amount of money on the bail bond to the court.

When a Judge makes a decision that the bail money can be returned.

When a defendant doesn’t return to court on time, they give up the money (bail) that was deposited with the court to get free.

A written statement that the court gives a defendant that says bail was paid.

A list of the amount of money that is suggested for temporarily releasing people on different charges.

A person that is in charge of security in the court. Also called a Court Officer.

1. A way to get money in a judgment against someone. 2. The money that is taken from debtor’s bank account.

A court case started by a person who can't pay their debts asking the court to allow them to not pay the debts back.

1. To block or stop something or someone. 2. The group of lawyers permitted to practice law in a state.

Making a habit of starting fights or lawsuits. Starting lawsuits without a good reason.

The use of force on a person that causes harmful or offensive contact without his or her permission.

1. The desk where a Judge sits in court. 2. Judges in general or a specific Judge can be called "the bench".

A meeting with the attorneys and the Judge at the judge’s bench to talk about something in the case. It may or may not be a part of the official record.

Trial without a jury where the Judge decides the case.

An order given by the Judge (or "bench") to arrest a person when they did not appear at court.

1. A person who can receive something because of a legal arrangement or document. 2. Surrogate’s Court: Any person who can share in an estate.

A gift in a will of money or other property.

The standard that courts use to decide who will take care of the child. Some factors that courts look at are: the age and health of the child, the emotional ties between the parents and the child, the ability of the parents to care for the child, and the child’s ties to school, home, and the community.

1. To separate. 2. A case where the responsibility of a person is decided before the amount of money is awarded.

The list of specific expenses included in a judgment on top of the money already given.

A formal list of statements that clarify or detail the charges and/or facts in a case. Usually given after a request is made.

To make yourself or someone else legally responsible for something.

A judge’s decision before a trial that says there is enough evidence for a trial.

An examination someone’s blood sample. This is usually used to see how much of a certain chemical is in the blood or to see who is the parent of a child.

Latin: “In good faith.” Sincere, real, without lies. True