The position of judge. By statute, Congress authorizes the number of judgeships for each district and appellate court.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The official decision of a court finally resolving the dispute between the parties to the lawsuit.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The policy-making entity for the federal court system. A 27-judge body whose presiding officer is the Chief Justice of the United States.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a certain type of case. It also is used as a synonym for venue, meaning the geographic area over which the court has territorial jurisdiction to decide cases.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The study of law and the structure of the legal system

Source: US Courts Glossary

A judge's directions to the jury before it begins deliberations regarding the factual questions it must answer and the legal rules that it must apply.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The group of persons selected to hear the evidence in a trial and render a verdict on matters of fact. See also grand jury.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty which resulted in harm to the plaintiff.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A charge on specific property that is designed to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation. A debtor may still be responsible for a lien after a discharge.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A creditor's claim for a fixed amount of money.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The sale of a debtor's property with the proceeds to be used for the benefit of creditors.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A judicial officer of a district court who conducts initial proceedings in criminal cases, decides criminal misdemeanor cases, conducts many pretrial civil and criminal matters on behalf of district judges, and decides civil cases with the consent of the parties.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The court will evaluate the debtor's income and expenses to determine if the debtor may proceed under Chapter 7.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Special condition the court imposes to require an individual to undergo evaluation and treatment for a mental disorder. Treatment may include psychiatric, psychological, and sex offense-specific evaluations, inpatient or outpatient counseling, and medication.

Source: US Courts Glossary

As provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, an organization established within a federal judicial circuit to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford an adequate defense. Each organization is supervised by a federal public defender appointed by the court of appeals for the circuit.

Source: US Courts Glossary

An attorney employed by the federal courts on a full-time basis to provide legal defense to defendants who are unable to afford counsel. The judiciary administers the federal defender program pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Jurisdiction given to federal courts in cases involving the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.

Source: US Courts Glossary

To place a paper in the official custody of the clerk of court to enter into the files or records of a case.

Source: US Courts Glossary

A transfer of a debtor's property made with intent to defraud or for which the debtor receives less than the transferred property's value.

Source: US Courts Glossary

The characterization of a debtor's status after bankruptcy, i.e., free of most debts. (Giving debtors a fresh start is one purpose of the Bankruptcy Code.)

Source: US Courts Glossary

A body of 16-23 citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which is presented by the prosecutors, and determine whether there is probable cause to believe an individual committed an offense. See also indictment and U.S. attorney.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement. Federal judges receive petitions for a writ of habeas corpus from state prison inmates who say their state prosecutions violated federally protected rights in some way.

Source: US Courts Glossary

Evidence presented by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. With some exceptions, hearsay generally is not admissible as evidence at trial

Source: US Courts Glossary