CourtHelp Legal Glossary

The law that determines the amount of child support to be paid.

A person under 18 years of age. A youth in foster care may be referred to as a “child” by the court until they leave foster care, which can occur as late as 21 years old.

Testimony not based on personal knowledge or observation of the facts in the case.

1. A court order or summons that tells a defendant what the charges are. It also tells the defendant to go to court and/or post bail. 2. Surrogate’s Court: The process by the court to get jurisdiction over someone and give them notice of the proceeding. 3. A group of numbers and letters used to find a case in a law textbook or legal reference.

1. When a defendant who is not in custody must go to court on a certain day. 2. To refer to something as important authority in a case. Lawyers often cite past cases as examples of decisions that help in their argument now.

A lawsuit for money, to get property back, to force someone to complete a contract, or to protect someone’s civil rights.

The Civil Court of the City of New York decides lawsuits involving:

claims for damages up to $50,000;

small claims (cases involving amounts up to $10,000); and,

claims related to housing (landlord-tenant matters).

(Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island) 

A court’s right or power to hear noncriminal (civil) cases.

A claim by the judgment debtor that the law stops certain property from being taken to pay the judgment.

When you divide a civil case into two lawsuits to stay below the amount you are allowed to sue for.

A court official who handles filings, motions, pleadings, etc.

A person authorized by law to administer (give) oaths and sign the process or mandates of the court. May be known as the Chief Clerk.

A set of laws, rules or regulations.

A legal paper that adds to or changes a will.

To live with, and usually have sexual relations with, another person.

A way to solve conflicts without going to court. Both sides have a lawyer, but they agree not to go to court. A type of ADR.

When someone mixes properties or money intended for different purposes into a common fund or bank account.

The person in charge of telling people that they have to do jury duty.

1. To do something, for example, a crime. 2. To put someone in custody. 3. To use a court order to send a person to jail.

A court order that says a person must be kept in custody, usually in a jail or mental institution.

1. Laws that come from court decisions and not from statutes ("codes") or constitutions. 2. The body of law which began in England on where U.S. law came from.

Organizations that give people with conflict different ways to work out their issues without going to court.

Money that one person must pay another to cover the cost of a wrong or injury. For example, in car accident, the cost of fixing the car.

An order from a court saying a person is mentally able (understands enough) to take part in a court case.

Person that starts a court case against another person. In a civil case, the complainant is the plaintiff. In a criminal case, the complainant is the State.