Hello, my name is Christel Roukos. I live in Montreal. I have been studying Paralegal Technology for three years at Ahuntsic College. This program prepares you to touch every aspect in the legal field, such as family, commercial and criminal law. I always dreamed of becoming a Lawyer or a Notary, the fact that I am studying Paralegal Technology will benefit me in university because I will most likely understand the legal terms in class. I created this glossary to people that first got into Paralegal Technology to be more familiar with the legal terms. If you wish to become a paralegal, a clerk, a bailiff, or work in a notary or law firm, this program can help you achieve this goal!
accused
noun
A person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime.
Example: And during the trial process the examination for marks, as already described, often was '...simply an expression of local sentiment concerning the innocence or guilt of the ACCUSED.
fr: accusé(e)
assault
noun
Make a physical attack on.
Example: If they simply committed the act of scaring the victim, this would probably be construed as common ASSAULT, the maximum penalty for which is six months imprisonment.
fr: agression
attorney
noun
A lawyer.
Example: The ATTORNEY General's Guidelines also safeguard the defendant's interests by providing guidance on material which may undermine the prosecution's case, broadly suggesting categories of material and highlighting the cumulative effect of evidence.
fr: avocat(e)
courthouse
noun
A building in which a judicial court is held.
Example: The majority of divorced families (98%) were recruited through courthouse records identifying recently divorced families, followed by contact through the mail about participating.
fr: tribunal
criminal record
noun
A history of being convicted for crime.
Example: At present, the balance in rape trials is very much in favor of the defendant; his sexual history and past CRIMINAL RECORD are protected even if he has attacked the complainant.
fr: dossier criminel
defendant
noun
An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
Example: And on those conditions, the DEFENDANT agreed to repay the money.
fr: défendeur/défenderesse
doctrine
noun
A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.
Example: This DOCTRINE and approach have been supported and criticized, I therefore aim to explore and balance these arguments in order to provide my own analysis of the DOCTRINE.
fr: doctrine
family law
noun
The branch of law that deals with matters relating to the family, such as divorce and child custody.
Example: Under the terms of the Matrimonial Homes Act 1967, and later the FAMILY LAW Act 1996, a non-owning spouse was given the statutory right to occupation of the home (if not in possession), or to avoid eviction from it.
fr: droit de la famille
felony
noun
A crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
Example: Whether this is fair labeling or not is a matter of opinion, although many believe that accomplices should not receive such harsh penalties as the primary parties who actually committed the FELONY.
fr: crime
guilty
noun
Culpable of or responsible for a specified wrongdoing.
Example: He was found guilty of manslaughter.
fr: coupable
judge
noun
A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
Example: He follows this evidence put forward in front of a JUDGE jury who will ultimately decide whether they agree beyond reasonable doubt that the alleged offender committed the crime and thus how they should be punished.
fr: juge
jurisprudence
noun
The science or philosophy of law.
Example: The general principles of law in the legal sense are discussed under Jurisprudence.
fr: jurisprudence
justice
noun
Just behavior or treatment.
Example: Many in Toronto's Black community feel that the justice system does not treat them fairly.
fr: justice
law
noun
The system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
Example: When someone breaks a rule or LAW in Bunyoro they can be sent to three places: the neighbourhood court (small crimes and disputes), the chief's court (crimes that are unsettleable in neighbourhood court) or they can be left in the hands of the Uganda protectorate police force (more major crimes such as homicide or rape).
fr: loi
lawyer
noun
A person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor.
Example: Fiona is a LAWYER with specialist knowledge of accidents at work and a member of a firm of consultants that advises Construction companies on Health and Safety issues.
fr: Avocat(e)
mistrial
noun
A mistrial is a trial that is not completed. Instead, it is halted and declared invalid, usually before a verdict is delivered.
Example: After the judge declared a mistrial, Simmons, who was quoted in the Express-News, was outraged.
fr: annulation du procès
notary
noun
A person authorized performing certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts, deeds, and other documents for use in other jurisdictions.
Example: While certifying the signature on the document, NOTARY must see identification.
fr: notaire
penal
noun
Penal means to relate to the punishment of criminals.
Example: He was sentenced to more than two years in a penal colony.
fr: pénal(e)
prejudice
noun
Harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgment.
Example: He was a victim of racial prejudice.
fr: préjudice
witness
noun
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Example: Witnesses to the crash said they saw an explosion just before the disaster.
