Abortion
The termination of pregnancy by various means. It was ruled in Roe v. Wade
(1973) that a woman had the right to choose abortion to end a pregnancy through
the first trimester.
Abrogate
To annul or repeal a law or pass legislation that contradicts the prior law. It
also applies to revoking or withdrawing conditions of a contract.
Abscond
1) To leave a jurisdiction to avoid being served with legal papers or being
arrested. 2) A surprise departure with funds or goods that have been stolen.
Absolute
Complete, and without condition.
Abstention Doctrine
When the Supreme Court refuses to exercise its federal constitutional
jurisdiction or declines to consider a question of state law arising from a case
being appealed from a state court.
Abstract
In general, a summary of a record or document, for example, a Department of
Motor Vehicles Driving Abstract which contains a summary of offenses or fines
levied against your license.
Abstract Of Judgement
A written summary of a judgment which states how much money the losing party
owes to the person who won the lawsuit, the rate of interest that amount is
subject to, and any specific orders that the losing party must obey.
Abstract Of Title
The written report on a title search which shows
the history of ownership on a piece of real estate and any claims against the
property.
Abuse Of Discretion
when a trial judge makes an egregious mistake during a trial or on the ruling of
a motion that is results in an unfair trial
Abuse Of Process
The use of legal process by illegal, malicious, or perverted means; for example,
serving a complaint that was not actually filed just to intimidate someone, or
filing a lawsuit that has no basis in law.