This is a glossary made to help learn some words related to the Paralegal Technology.
accused
noun
The defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge.
Example: I am accused of committing a crime.
fr: accusé
allegation
noun
A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Example: He denied all allegation made against him.
fr: allégation
attorney
noun
One who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf; especially; lawyer.
Example: They had enough evidence after each attorney had presented their case.
fr: avocat(e)
bailiff
noun
An officer, similar to a sheriff's deputy, employed to execute writs and processes, make arrests, keep order in the court.
fr: huissier
burden of proof
noun
The obligation to prove one's assertion.
Example: Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you.
fr: fardeau de la preuve
court
noun
Place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate.
Example: Unless the court decision changes, we are OK.
fr: tribunal
evidence
noun
Matter produced before a court of law in an attempt to prove or disprove a point in issue, such as the statements of witnesses, documents, material objects, etc.
Example: His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.
fr: preuve
felony
noun
A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.
Example: Their armed display resulted in felony charges.
fr: crime
fraud
noun
Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Example: If the auctioneer could afterward do this he might change the name, substitute another, and so perpetrate a fraud.
fr: fraude
guilty
adjective
Culpable of or responsible for a specified wrongdoing.
Example: The jury found her guilty of murder.
fr: coupable
hearing
noun
An opportunity to state one's case.
Example: The materials presented at a sentencing hearing are often entered as exhibits.
fr: audience
judge
noun
A public official with authority to hear cases in a court of law and pronounce judgment upon them.
Example: The judges of a beauty contest.
fr: juge
justice
noun
Just behaviour or treatment.
Example: To uphold the justice of a cause.
fr: justice
law
noun
The system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
Example: Quinn has worked as an elections official in Virginia with von Spakovsky and has co-taught a law school course with him.
fr: loi
lawsuit
noun
A case in a court of law involving a claim, complaint, etc.
Example: In response, TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government on the grounds that the ban prevents due process for the company.
fr: procès
lawyer
noun
A person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor.
Example: The investigation, which has been underway for more than a year, was revealed publicly in a recent Intuit filing in which the company’s lawyers appealed to the commission to limit the scope of its investigation.
fr: avocat(e)
prejudice
noun
Harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgment.
fr: préjudice
proof
noun
Something that induces certainty or establishes validity.
Example: What proof do you have?
fr: preuve
sentence
noun
The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offense.
Example: Knowledgeable sources say that the judge will announce the sentence early next week.
fr: peine
testimony
noun
A solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public officer.
Example: A key witness in that case offered testimony that experts concluded was false.
fr: témoiniage
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: Prior to the trial, the Financial Conduct Authority said policies held by around 370,000 customers could be affected.
fr: procès
verdict
noun
A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Example: As his wife Yulia cried during the verdict — two years and eight months — he drew a heart for her on the glass wall of his court cage.
fr: jugement
witness
noun
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Example: You saw a crime take place. You are a witness to this crime.
