CourtHelp Legal Glossary

May be granted by the Court to a defendant who has been sentenced to a revocable sentence (probation, conditional discharge, etc.) or sentence that is not a commitment to a state correctional facility. The certificate removes any bar to his or her employment that was imposed by law because of his or her conviction. Application for a certificate can be obtained at the clerk’s office of the court where the sentence was given.

1. Criminal Court: A judge’s order to move a criminal case to another court in a different county. 2. The act of certifying. 

An official copy of a paper marked as being a true copy of the original. If from a governmental agency it will usually have a seal.

A statement which has been sworn to as true in front of a Notary Public.

To swear to the truth in writing.

Latin: “To be more fully informed.” An action used to review the decision or action of a public official or agency. Now under Article 78 of the CPLR.

Someone’s objection or argument against something in a legal case.

Reasons that a lawyer gives for removing a juror or Judge from a case.

A judge’s office.

Family Court: Words often used to explain a change in a court order.

When a civil or criminal case is moved from one court’s jurisdiction to another. See venue.

Criminal Court. Verb. To accuse a person of a crime. Noun: The formal accusation of a crime before prosecution listing the offenses.

In a trial, a statement to the jury by the Judge telling it what principles of law to use in the case.

Is a declaration by a creditor (usually a credit card account) that an amount of debt is unlikely to be collected. This occurs when a consumer becomes severely delinquent (late) on paying a debt. Usually, creditors make this declaration at the point of six months without payment and the account will be closed to future use, although the debt is still owed.

A piece of personal property. For example, a car or a bracelet.

Hurting or allowing someone to hurt a child physically, sexually or emotionally.

Someone with special training appointed by the court to help a child in a case.

The care, control, and maintenance of a child given by a court. Custody can be given to a relative, but usually it’s given to one of the parents. This term is also used to describe who the child lives with.

An investigation and analysis by an expert of the health, safety, welfare, and best interests of children (BIC). It is ordered by a court to help solve custody and visitation arguments.

See child abuse and/or child neglect.

When a person legally responsible for the care or custody of a child does not give proper care. For example not giving a child enough food, shelter, clothing, education, and or medical care. Neglect can be physical or emotional. Also known as a “NN Petition.”

The state agency that acts on the reports of child abuse and neglect. In NYC that agency is the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).

Money paid by a parent to another to help support a child or children after a separation.

This is the agency in every state that makes, enforces and changes child support. It also looks for parents that don’t have custody (called "noncustodial parents," or "NCPs"), or to find the person assumed to be the father of a child (called a "putative father," or "PF"). It collects and gives out child support money, and is also known as an "IV-D agency."

A special section in the New York City Family Court located in New York County which handles child support and paternity when the child requiring support receives public assistance. CSET makes and enforces these child support and paternity orders.