Glossary
This glossary may be used to find the definitions of many legal terms.
In many instances, there are synonyms and plain language options provided for the terms.
You may search within this glossary:
- by entering a term in the “Keyword Search” field.
- by choosing a “Type” from the drop-down list such as “Estate” or “Small Claims.”
- by choosing the beginning letter in the “Filter by Letter” drop-down list to display only the terms that start with that letter.
A combination of these search options can be used to provide a more defined result.
Note that this glossary may not contain all legal terms.
| Term | Definition | Plain Language | Synonyms | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuance | Postponement of a hearing to a later date. | postpone | postponement, continuation, postpone, put off (these would be for "continue", a verb) | General Terms, Small Claims, District Court Civil, County Court Civil | |
| Defendant | A person sued in a civil proceeding or accused in a criminal proceeding. | accused | litigant, offender | General Terms, Domestic Relations, Small Claims, News Reporter Guide, District Court Civil, County Court Civil, Court Reporting | |
| Execution | An order by the court directing the sheriff to seize the judgment debtor's property, sell it and apply the money to the judgment against the debtor. | Carry out | sheriff's sale, carry out, perform, complete as required | General Terms, Small Claims, District Court Civil, County Court Civil | |
| Garnishment | A proceeding to obtain property, wages or money owed to the judgment debtor by a third person and apply it to the amount owed the judgment creditor. | order to seize property | General Terms, Small Claims, News Reporter Guide, District Court Civil, County Court Civil, Court Reporting | ||
| Judgment | 1. A court's official decision about a dispute. 2. A final court ruling about the key questions in a lawsuit that decides the rights and obligations of the parties. | decision | decision, ruling, finding, verdict | General Terms, Domestic Relations, Small Claims, News Reporter Guide, District Court Civil, County Court Civil, Court Reporting | |
| Judgment creditor | A person or entity that wins a lawsuit and will be owed money by the other party. | is owed money | General Terms, Small Claims | ||
| Judgment debtor | The person or entity that loses a lawsuit and owes damages to the other party. | person who owes money | General Terms, Small Claims | ||
| Plaintiff | The person who files a lawsuit. The person who brings an action; the party who complains or sues in a personal action and is so named on the record. | accuser, suer | accuser, complainant | General Terms, Domestic Relations, Small Claims, News Reporter Guide, District Court Civil, County Court Civil, Court Reporting |