CourtHelp Legal Glossary

Is a written statement that starts a case. It states what the plaintiff says the defendant did and it asks the court for relief (help). It is also called the initial pleading or petition.

Hearing to find out if the repairs were made in an HP case.

Required by legal process or by law.

A "concurring" opinion agrees with the decision of the majority either for the same or for different reasons.

When two or more courts can hear the same case.

Sentences that can be served at the same time. For example, if a person has concurrent sentences of 10 years and 5 years, they can serve a total of 10 years. 

1. The act of finding a person guilty in a court. 2. The taking of property for public use.

A sentence given by a Judge that orders a person to do or not do certain things while they are released. For example attend a drug treatment program or not breaking any more laws.

When someone admits, out loud or in writing, that they committed a crime.

A way to get a judgment without having to start a lawsuit. The person or corporation confessing the judgment signs an affidavit agreeing that an amount of damages is owed.

Things that may be removed from court papers to protect a person, like, social security numbers, birthdates, and tax information. See NYCRR number 202 section 5(e).

Information in a court case that can't be seen by the public.

The right to have a lawyer keep their client’s information private and not share it with others. There are three exceptions: 1. If the lawyer thinks their client is going to commit a crime and they cannot stop the client. 2. If the lawyer believes their client is going to hurt themself. 3. If the client has told a lie in court after they have sworn to tell the truth.

A copy of a document where changes have been made to make it the same as the original.

Relationship by blood. A blood relative.

Sentences that are served one after the other. For example, if a person has consecutive sentences of 10 years and 5 years, they must serve a total of 15 years. 

The marriage of a minor, who is at least 14 years and less than 16 years old. It must be approved by the court.

Someone that can't take care of themself and has a caretaker (called the "conservator") picked by the court.

Someone picked by the court to either take care of someone that can't take care of him or herself (called a "conservatee") or take care of the property of the conservatee, or both.

A person or business picked by a Judge to handle the financial matters of a person when the Judge decides that the person (called the "conservatee") can't do it.

A person or business picked by a Judge to care for and protect a person when the Judge decides that the person (called the "conservatee") can't do it.

A court proceeding where a Judge appoints a caretaker for an adult that is unable to care for themself.

When at least two cases that involve the same issues of law are put together and become one case. One judgment will cover all parties.

The central law of a country that sets up the creation, character, and organization of its power and how that power is used. The rules and principles, descriptions of the government’s power, and the main rights that the people of a country or state have.

A reason to grant a divorce. This happens when one party refuses, without reason, to have sexual relations with the other for at least one year.