Common Legal Terms definitions beginning with H

Common Legal Terms (965) : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # Definitions 1 - 10 of 10 beginning with H

Habeas - permalink - collapse

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Corpus You have the body; a writ used to bring someone before the court.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: Coram nobis, Habeas corpus, Mandamus, Quo warranto, Supersedeas, Venire, Venire facias

Habeas corpus - permalink - collapse

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A writ (court order) that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. Someone imprisoned in state court proceedings can file a petition in federal court for a "writ of habeas corpus," seeking to have the federal court review whether the state has violated his or her rights under the U.S. Constitution. Federal prisoners can file habeas petitions as well. A writ of habeas corpus may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony or to be prosecuted.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts - Cite This Source - This Definition
The name of a writ having for its object to bring a person before a court.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: Coram nobis, Habeas, Mandamus, Quo warranto, Supersedeas, Venire, Venire facias

Habendum - permalink - collapse

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Clause in a deed which defines the extent of ownership in the thing granted; begins with the words "To have and to hold."
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Browse Related Terms: A priori, Ab initio, In initio, In limine, Tenere

Harmless error - permalink - collapse

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An error committed during a trial that was corrected or was not serious enough to affect the outcome of a trial and therefore was not sufficiently harmful (prejudicial) to be reversed on appeal.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: Court rules, Erratum (Pl. errata), Overrule, Remand, Reverse, Reversible error, Sustain, uphold

Headnote - permalink - collapse

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A brief summary of a legal rule or significant facts in a case, which, along with other headnotes, precedes the printed opinion in reports.
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Browse Related Terms: case law, Decision, Dictum (Pl. dicta), Dissent, Law, Limine, Moot, Obiter dictum, opinion, Precedent

hearing - permalink - collapse

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A formal proceeding (generally less formal than a trial) with issues of law or of fact to be heard. Hearings are used extensively by legislative and administrative agencies.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: BAR, Challenge, Challenge for cause, Chambers, In camera, Peremptory challenge, Preliminary hearing, pretrial conference, prosecute, Sidebar, Voir dire

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Hearsay - permalink - collapse

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Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts - Cite This Source - This Definition
Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay may not be admissible.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: Cross-examination, Direct evidence, Direct examination, Hostile witness, Justiciable, Leading question, Re-direct examination

Hoc - permalink - collapse

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With or this.
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Browse Related Terms: Ad hoc, Ex post facto, In hoc, Post, Post factum, Post hoc

Hostile witness - permalink - collapse

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A witness whose testimony is not favorable to the party who calls the person as a witness. A hostile witness may be asked leading questions and may be cross-examined by the party who calls him or her to the stand.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: Cross-examination, Direct evidence, Direct examination, Hearsay, Justiciable, Leading question, Re-direct examination

Hung jury - permalink - collapse

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A jury whose members cannot agree upon a verdict.
US District Court - Northern District of NY - Cite This Source - This Definition
Browse Related Terms: Corpus juris civilis, Directed verdict, Grand Jury, Indictment, Judgment as a matter of law, Jury, Mistrial, No Bill, petit jury (or trial jury), Polling the jury, Presentment, Verdict

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Common Legal Terms (965) : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #