I made this glossary to make it easier to understand some very difficult terms in the legal system.
Acquittal
Noun
A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.
Example: Several jurors voted for acquittal.
fr: Acquittement
Admissible
Adjective
Acceptable or valid, especially as evidence in a court of law.
Example: The Act also sought to restrict the extent to which a woman's prior sexual history could be used as admissible evidence in court, thus indirectly affecting the material available to the press to publish.
fr: Admissible
Affidavit
Noun
A written or printed statement made under oath.
Example: The evangelist had managed to obtain an affidavit from one of the three Danes responsible for the publication of LRSB but who had since become a Christian, stating that "Mao money" had financed the publication of the book in Denmark.
fr: Déclaration sous serment
Alternate juror
phrase
A juror selected in the same manner as a regular juror who hears all the evidence but does not help decide the case unless called on to replace a regular juror.
Example: Picking a six-person jury and one alternate juror from a pool of 25 people involved marking the entire courthouse for social distancing and providing hand sanitizer in every courtroom, the judge said.
fr: Juré suppléant
Appeal
noun
Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
Example: We reserved our reasons because an issue of jurisdiction was raised as to whether MA could appeal in this case although it had not been a party to the proceedings in the court below.
fr: Cours d'appel
Bail
Noun
The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
Example: He has been released on bail.
fr: Caution
Bankruptcy
Noun
Bankruptcy is a legal process through which people or other entities who cannot repay debts to creditors may seek relief from some or all of their debts.
Example: Many companies were facing bankruptcy.
fr: La faillite
Capital offense
Phrase
A crime punishable by death.
Example: Attempted murder is a capital offense under Zambian law.
fr: Infraction capitale
Case file
Noun
A collection of documents and evidence relating to a particular legal case.
Example: She discusses a court case without referring to the case file.
fr: Dossier
Chambers
Noun
A judge's room used for official proceedings not required to be held in open court.
Example: The judge took his decision in his chambers.
fr: Chambres
Community service
Noun
Unpaid work, intended to be of social use, that an offender is required to do instead of going to prison.
Example: He was sentenced to 600 hours of community service.
fr: Travaux communautaire
Deposition
Noun
An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
Example: He gave a deposition to the police.
fr: Déposition
Discovery
Noun
Procedures used to obtain disclosure of evidence before trial.
Example: He asked questions, and between his questions and the painter's answers, there was a discovery of the painting itself.
fr: Découverte
Ex parte
Adjective
A proceeding brought before a court by one party only, without notice to or challenge by the other side.
Example: An example of an ex parte hearing is one where the victim is not there.
fr: Ex parte
Exculpatory evidence
Evidence indicating that a defendant did not commit the crime.
Example: For example, if the defendant, a tall man with short hair, is charged with bank robbery, and the video of the robbery shows that the perpetrator is in fact a short female with long hair, the video would be exculpatory because it negates the defendant's guilt.
fr: Preuve à décharge
Hearsay
Noun
The report of another person's words by a witness, which is usually disallowed as evidence in a court of law.
Example: Everything they had told him would have been ruled out as hearsay.
fr: Rumeur
Impeachment
Noun
The action of calling into question the integrity or validity of something.
Example: The prosecutor's detailed impeachment of the character witness.
fr: Mise en accusation
Injunction
Noun
A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action. A preliminary injunction often is issued to allow fact-finding, so a judge can determine whether a permanent injunction is justified.
Example: When a court employs the extraordinary remedy of injunction, it directs the conduct of a party, and does so with the backing of its full coercive powers.
fr: Injonction
Judge
Noun
An official of the Judicial branch with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Used generically, the term judge may also refer to all judicial officers, including Supreme Court justices.
Example: The judge refused his bail.
fr: Juge
Lawsuit
Noun
A claim or dispute brought to a court of law for adjudication.
Example: His lawyer filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles city.
