Court terms starting with P

15 terms

  1. Parole Supervised release of a prisoner from imprisonment on certain prescribed conditions which entitle him to relief from a prison sentence.
  2. Party A person, business, or government agency actively involved in the prosecution or defense of a legal proceeding.
  3. Perjure To knowingly and willfully give false testimony under oath.
  4. Petitioner The person filing a certain type of action in a court of original jurisdiction. Also, the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court. See respondent.
  5. plaintiff A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.
  6. Plea The first pleading by a criminal defendant, the defendant's declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty.
  7. Plea Agreement or plea bargain Plea bargaining is the process where the defendant and the prosecution come to an agreement as to a disposition of charges, subject to the Court's…
  8. Pre-sentence investigation The procedure after conviction during which the defendant’s criminal history is investigated.
  9. Pre-trial hearing A court procedure during which the issues to be tried are narrowed and certain facts and admissions are agreed upon in order to speed up the trial.
  10. Preponderance of the evidence Greater weight of the evidence, the common standard of proof in civil cases.
  11. pro se A nonlawyer who represents himself or herself in a court proceeding.
  12. Probable cause 1. The basis for all lawful searches, seizures and arrests. 2. A reasonable belief that a crime has or is being committed.
  13. Probation An alternative to imprisonment allowing a person found guilty of an offense to stay in the community, usually under conditions and under the supervision…
  14. Prosecutor A lawyer representing the government in a criminal case and the interests of the state in civil matters.
  15. Public Defender Government lawyer who provides free legal defense services to a poor person accused of a crime.