Legal Glossary

Affidavit
A sworn written statement used as evidence in court.

Contempt of Court
Willful disobedience of a court order or disruption of court proceedings.

Discovery
The process of exchanging legal information and evidence between both parties before trial.

Hearsay
An out-of-court statement presented to prove the truth of the matter, generally not admissible in court unless an exception applies.

Litigation
The process of taking legal action—filing a lawsuit or going to court.

Motion
A formal request made to the court, such as to suppress evidence or dismiss a case.

Subpoena
A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or produce documents.

Arraignment
The first formal court appearance after arrest, where charges are read and the defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

Bail / Bond
Money or collateral paid to ensure a defendant appears in court. “Posting bond” allows temporary release from jail.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The standard of proof in criminal cases. The prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt so thoroughly that no reasonable doubt remains.

Booking
The process of officially recording an arrest, including fingerprints, mugshots, and personal information.

Diversion Program
An alternative to prosecution, often for first-time offenders. Completing a program (e.g., drug counseling) can lead to dismissal of charges.

Expungement
Legal process of removing or sealing a criminal record from public view.

Felony
A serious criminal offense punishable by more than one year in prison, such as armed robbery, drug trafficking, or aggravated assault.

Misdemeanor
A less serious offense, usually punishable by up to one year in jail. Examples: petty theft, simple battery, first-time DUI.

Miranda Rights
The rights police must read you during an arrest, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Plea Bargain
A deal between the prosecution and defense where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or sentencing.

Pretrial Hearing
Court session before trial to address issues like motions, evidence disputes, or potential plea deals.

Probation
A court-ordered period of supervision instead of jail time, often with conditions like drug testing or counseling.

Restitution
Money paid by a defendant to compensate a victim for financial loss caused by a crime.

Warrant
A judge’s written order allowing law enforcement to make an arrest or search property.

Claim
A demand for compensation submitted to an insurance company or opposing party after an accident or injury.

Contingency Fee
A fee arrangement where your attorney only gets paid if you win your case—common in personal injury law.

Damages
Monetary compensation for losses caused by injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Defendant
The party being sued or charged with a crime.

Deposition
Out-of-court testimony given under oath during the discovery phase of a case.

Liability
Legal responsibility for causing injury, damage, or harm.

Negligence
Failure to act with reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. Central to most personal injury claims.

Plaintiff
The person who brings a lawsuit, typically the injured party in civil court.

Policy Limits
The maximum amount an insurance company will pay on a claim based on the policy terms.

Premises Liability
Legal responsibility of property owners for accidents that occur on their property (e.g., slip and fall).

Settlement
An agreement between parties to resolve a case outside of court, typically involving a payment to the injured party.

Statute of Limitations
The legal time limit for filing a lawsuit. In Florida, this is typically 4 years for personal injury and 2 years for medical malpractice.