Category: US Courts Glossary

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. […]

The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a certain type of case. It also is used as a synonym […]

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 […]

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

A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal […]

A charge on specific property that is designed to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation. A debtor may […]

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 […]

The court will evaluate the debtor’s income and expenses to determine if the debtor may proceed under Chapter 7. Source: US Courts […]

Special condition the court imposes to require an individual to undergo evaluation and treatment for a mental disorder. Treatment may include psychiatric, […]

As provided for in the Criminal Justice Act, an organization established within a federal judicial circuit to represent criminal defendants who cannot […]

An attorney employed by the federal courts on a full-time basis to provide legal defense to defendants who are unable to afford […]

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

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 […]

A transfer of a debtor’s property made with intent to defraud or for which the debtor receives less than the transferred property’s […]

The characterization of a debtor’s status after bankruptcy, i.e., free of most debts. (Giving debtors a fresh start is one purpose of […]

A body of 16-23 citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which is presented by the prosecutors, and determine whether there […]

Latin, meaning “you have the body.” A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce […]

Evidence presented by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. […]