Plaintiff

The person, or persons, who initiates a case with the court.

Plea Bargaining

Negotiations during a criminal trial between an accused offender and a prosecutor in which the accused agrees to admit to a crime (usually a lesser offense than the original), in order to avoid the expense of a public trial, and in turn the prosecutor agrees to ask for a more lenient sentence than would have been recommended if the case had proceeded to a full trial.

Pleadings

The document of a party to litigation in which they formally set out the facts and the laws that support each sides position.

Plene Administravit

Latin for administration [is] complete.

Polygamy

Being married to multiple spouses at the same time.

Polygraph

A lie-detector machine which records even the slightest variation in blood pressure, body temperature and respiration as questions are asked and answers elicited from a subject.

Pornography

Portrayal of sexual acts solely for the purpose of sexual arousal.

Positive Law

Law proper, as opposed to moral laws, or to natural or "God-made" law.

Postal Rule

A rule of contract law that makes an exception to the general rule that an acceptance is only created when communicated directly to the offeror.

Postnuptial Agreement

A separation agreement.