Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Estate A collective term meaning all real and personal property owned by a person. Motion A formal request presented to a court. Codicil A supplement or an addition to a will. It may explain, modify, and add to, subtract from, qualify, alter, restrain or revoke provisions in the existing will. Defendant The accused in a criminal case; the person from whom money or other recovery is sought in a civil case. Damages Money that a court orders paid to party (usually the plaintiff) who has suffered a loss by another party who caused the loss (usually the defendant). Holographic will A will entirely written, dated and signed by the testator in his/her own handwriting. Chambers A judge's private office in the courthouse. Mitigating circumstance A circumstance that may be considered to reduce the degree of moral culpability, although it does not entirely justify or excuse an offense.

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