I create this glossary so it can be a resource to people that study in law or want to know more about it. PS: If someone need to show off few legal latin terms too there few of them!
a priori
phrase
An argument derived before an event, without needing to have the knowledge about the event.
fr: a priori
acquittal
noun
What an accused criminal defendant receives if he/she is found not guilty. It is a verdict (a judgment in a criminal case) of not guilty.
Example: If the court is not satisfied that David did what was alleged, an acquittal must follow.
fr: acquittement
Actus reus
Part of what proves criminal liability (with mens rea).
fr: Actus reus
adverse party
noun
An adverse party is an opposing party in a lawsuit under an adversary system of law.
Example: i worked with the adverse party lawyer when i started my career.
fr: partie adverse
Audi alteram partem
phrase
"Audi alteram partem" is considered to be a principle of fundamental justice or equity or the principle of natural justice in most legal systems.
fr: Audi alteram partem
character witness
noun
A person who testifies in a trial on behalf of a person (usually a criminal defendant) as to that person's good ethical qualities and morality both by the personal knowledge of the witness and the person's reputation in the community.
Example: Later, at a hearing to determine whether Lewis should be released on bond, Woodson spoke as a character witness
fr: témoin
charge
noun
In a criminal case, the specific statement of what crime the party is accused (charged with) contained in the indictment or criminal complaint.
Example: He was charged with the offence of which he was convicted and at that time handed in a prepared statement.
fr: charge
corpus juris civilis
phrase
The Corpus Juris (or Iuris) Civilis ("Body of Civil Law") is the modern name for a collection of fundamental works in jurisprudence.
fr: Corpus Juris civilis
Defense of property
noun
The defence of property is a common method of justification used by defendants who argue that they should not be held liable for any loss and injury that they have caused because they were acting to protect their property.
fr: Défense de la propriété
Evidence
noun
Information given personally, drawn from a document, or in the form of material objects, tending or used to establish facts in a legal investigation or admissible as testimony in court.
Example: Without evidence, they can't bring a charge
fr: Preuve
ex aequo et bono
phrase
Used to describe the power of a judge or arbiter to consider only what is fair and good for the specific case, and not necessarily what the law may require.
fr: ex aequo et bono
grand larceny
noun
The crime of theft of another's property (including money) over a certain value (for example, $500), as distinguished from petty (or petit) larceny in which the value is below the grand larceny limit
Example: Although the indictment extended beyond grand larceny to possession of forged instruments and an amount of more than $1 million, the attorney general's office stated it would pursue no further prosecution.
fr: vol
impeach
verb
To discredit the testimony of a witness by proving that he/she has not told the truth or has been inconsistent, by introducing contrary evidence, including statements made outside of the courtroom in depositions or in statements of the witness heard by another.
Example: And it would impeach any judge that violated the provisions of the bill.
fr: accuser
incriminate
noun
Make (someone) appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing; strongly imply the guilt of (someone).
Example: he refused to answer questions in order not to incriminate himself
fr: incriminer
Lawsuit
noun
A trial at court between two private parties.
Example: His lawyer filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles city
fr: Procès
misdemeanor
noun
A lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or county jail time for up to one year. Misdemeanors are distinguished from felonies, which can be punished by a state prison term.
Example: Last night I bit the bullet and went to see my neighbour about her teenage dirtbag of a daughter and the noise along with a list of other minor misdemeanours .
fr: délit
paralegal
noun
A non-lawyer who performs routine tasks requiring some knowledge of the law and procedures and who is employed by a law office or works free-lance as an independent for various lawyers.
Example: Much work had been equivalent to that carried out by trainee solicitors or paralegals .
fr: parajusriste
Plead
verb
State formally in court whether one is guilty or not guilty of the offense with which one is charged
Example: he pleaded guilty to the drug charge
trial
noun
A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings
Example: he newspaper accounts of the trial
fr: Procès
warrant
noun
A document issued by a legal or government official authorizing the police or some other body to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice.
Example: The police obtain a warrant , search Deirdre's apartment, and discover the uniform.