The list below defines some of the terms not defined elsewhere in this guide, as well as some terms you might hear at the court or during a trial.
- Acquit - To find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial
- Action, Case, Cause, Suit, Lawsuit - These terms all refer to a proceeding in a court of law
- Affidavit - A written or printed statement made under oath
- Answer - A formal response made by the defendant, which admits or denies what is claimed by the plaintiff
- Burden of proof - This term refers to which side is obligated to prove the facts of the case
- Cause of action - A legal claim
- Charge - A formal accusation someone has committed a criminal offense
- Counterclaim - A claim presented by the defendant in a civil case alleging the plaintiff owes damages to the defendant
- Cross-examination - An attorney's questioning of a witness called to testify by the other side in the case
- Damages - Compensation (usually monetary) awarded to someone who has suffered loss, detriment or injury to their person, property or rights
- Deposition - Sworn testimony taken and recorded outside the courtroom but according to the rules of the court
- Evidence - Any form of proof legally presented at a trial, including records, documents, photographs and testimony of witnesses
- Exhibit - A paper document or other physical object presented to the court as evidence during a trial
- Hearsay - Statements made out of court by someone other than the person testifying in court, which are offered to prove a matter in court
- Impeachment of a witness - An attempt to show the testimony of a witness is not truthful, accurate or reliable
- Inadmissible - Material or information that cannot be admitted or received as evidence under established rules of evidence
- Indictment - A written accusation by a grand jury charging someone with committing a crime
- Leading question - A question suggesting to a witness the answer the attorney wants to hear
- Litigant - An individual who brings or defends a lawsuit
- Motion - A request made by an attorney for a ruling or an order by a judge on a particular issue
- Perjury - Lying under oath, a criminal offense
- Plea - Defendants' statements of "guilty" or "not guilty" to criminal charges made against them
- Pleadings - Formal, written allegations by both sides of their claims
- Polling the jury - Asking jurors individually after the verdict has been read whether they agree with the verdict
- Rebuttal - The introduction of contradicting or opposing evidence
- Search warrant - A written order issued by a judge or magistrate, directing a law enforcement officer to search a Specific location for specific things or individuals
- Stipulation - An agreement by the attorneys certain facts are true Stipulated facts do not need to be proven in the trial
- Testimony - Any statement made by a witness under oath
- Tort - An injury or wrong committed to someone else's person or property for which an injured party is requesting damages