Court terms starting with A

15 terms

  1. Abuse of Discretion An appellate court uses this standard of review where a party may argue that a lower court’s decision was greatly unsound, unreasonable, or illegal.
  2. Acquit To find a criminal defendant not guilty through a verdict or because the evidence is insufficient, or because the charges have been dropped or dismissed.
  3. Acquittal A release, absolution or discharge of an obligation or liability. In criminal law, the finding of not guilty.
  4. Administrative Agency A federal, state or local government body responsible for applying or enforcing a particular type of law.
  5. Admissible Evidence that is relevant to the case, and is material, will be usually be permitted to be presented to the jury in most instances.
  6. Adversarial System This is the method American courts use to arrive a resolution in a legal case. The parties in a case tell their sides of a case to a judge and/or jury who…
  7. Affidavit A sworn statement in writing before a proper official, such as a notary public.
  8. Affirm To uphold a decision made in another court in a case on appeal, by a hearing officer in a court that has the authority to decide the appeal.
  9. Appeal To call for a review of an IRS decision or proposed adjustment.
  10. Appellant Party who files the appeal.
  11. Appellant’s Brief The initial brief, where the appellant outlines the mistakes made in the lower court’s decision and states why the appellate court should reverse the…
  12. Appellate About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of another lower court or tribunal.
  13. Appellate Court A court having jurisdiction to hear appeals and review a lower court's decisions.
  14. Arraignment The hearing at which the accused is brought before the court to enter a plea to the criminal charge in the indictment.
  15. Arrest To take into custody by legal authority.