Discharge
A sentence of a person found guilty of a crime
in which that person does not receive a criminal record of conviction, either
absolutely or conditionally.
Discovery
1) the act of uncovering something 2) the period before the trial that includes
the requesting of pertinent documents and facts from the opposing party or other
bodies necessary to the case
Discretionary Trust
A trust in which the settlor has given the trustee full discretion to decide
which (and when) members of a group of beneficiaries is to receive either the
income or the capital of the trust.
Discrimination
A distinction based on the individual characteristics of a person resulting in
some disadvantage to that individual.
Disrate
A term of maritime law where an officer or other seaman is either demoted in
rank or deprived of a promotion.
Dissent
To disagree. The word is used in legal circles to refer to the minority opinion
of a judge which runs contrary to the conclusions of the majority.
Dissolution
The act of ending, terminating or winding-up a
company or state of affairs.
Distraint
The right of a landlord to seize the property of
a tenant which is in the premises being rented, as collateral against a tenant
that has not paid the rent or has otherwise defaulted on
the lease, such as wanton
disrepair or destruction of the premises.Distress
A common law remedy available to landlords to hold the tenant's belongings while
the tenant is behind on rent but continues to occupy the premises.
District Attorney
An attorney responsible for prosecuting criminal
charges on behalf of the government.