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Most Popular Legal Definitions

court of admiralty

a rather archaic term used to denote the court which has the right to hear shipping, ocean and sea legal cases; jurisdiction over maritime law cases

opening statement

A lawyer's initial remarks at trial. Generally, it is directed at the judge or jury to set out the theory behind their case.

genocide

The systematic killing of persons because of their ethnicity.

dower

A widow's life estate interest in her husband's real property if he died.

public defender

An attorney in the U.S.A. paid for by the state but representing an indigent individual in a criminal matter.

silent partner

A person who invests in a company or partnership but does not take part in administering or directing the organization.

adverse witness

a witness in a trial who is found by the judge to be adverse to the position of the party whose attorney is questioning the witness, even thought he attorney called the witness to testify on his client

appeal

1) to ask a higher court to reverse the decision of a trial court after final judgment or other legal ruling 2) the name for the process of appealing, as in "he has filed an appeal"

criminal negligence

reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons

constructive total loss

Insured property that has been abandoned because its actual total loss appears to be unavoidable, or because it could not be preserved or repaired without an expenditure which would exceed its value.