Search Dictionary


Terms:

Browse Alphabetically (A-Z)

A  |   B  |   C  |   D  |   E  |   F  |   G  |   H  |   I  |   J  |   K  |   L  |   M  |   N  |   O  |   P  |   Q  |   R  |   S  |   T  |   U  |   V  |   W  |   X  |   Y  |   Z  |  

Most Popular Legal Definitions

scienter

Latin for "having knowledge."

prostitution

the offering of sexual activity for hire where an exchange of value occurs 

secret trust

A trust where, to a stated beneficiary, the donor secretly communicates that he/she holds title in trust for another.

public domain

American copyright law term: works that are not copyright protected, free for all to use without permission.

complaint

an issue or formal statement brought against another individual or party

decree nisi

provisional decision of a court which does not have force or effect until a certain condition is met such as another petition brought before the court or after the passage of a period of time

defendant

individual, company or organization that defends a legal action taken by a plaintiff and against which the court has been asked to order damages or specific corrective action redress some type of unlawful or improper action alleged by the plaintiff

petty offense

A minor crime; the punishment is usually just a small fine or short term of imprisonment.

attorney

1) an agent or someone authorized to act for another 2) a person who has been qualified by a state or federal court to provide legal services, including appearing in court; each state has a bar examination which is a qualifying test to practice law

bearer

anyone holding something; such as a check, promissory note, bank draft, or bond; this is important when the document state it is "payable to the bearer"