Legal Research
Legal Terms Glossary
Legal writing is full of words that mean something very specific. Start with the common terms below, or search for any term you come across in your research.
Commonly Used Legal Terms
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- Evidence
Affidavit
A written statement of facts that a person swears is true, usually signed in front of a notary or other authorized official.
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Appeal
A request asking a higher court to review and change the decision of a lower court.
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Appellant
The party who asks a higher court to review a lower court's decision.
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Appellee
The party in a case who did not appeal and must respond to the appellant's arguments.
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Brief
A written legal document that presents a party's arguments and supporting law to a court.
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Burden of Proof
The duty to prove a disputed fact, and the level of certainty required to prove it.
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Citation
A reference that identifies where a legal source, such as a case, statute, or regulation, can be found.
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Complaint
The document that starts a civil lawsuit by describing the plaintiff's claims against the defendant.
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Conviction
A formal court finding, usually after a trial or guilty plea, that a person is guilty of a crime.
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Defendant
The person or organization being sued in a civil case or accused of a crime in a criminal case.
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Dissent
A separate opinion written by a judge who disagrees with the majority's decision in a case.
Learn More - Constitutional Law
Due Process
The constitutional guarantee that the government must follow fair procedures and respect legal rights before taking away a person's life, liberty, or property.
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Evidence
Information presented in court, such as documents, testimony, or physical objects, used to prove or disprove a fact.
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Exhaustion of Remedies
A rule that generally requires a person to complete all available steps within an agency or lower process before asking a court to intervene.
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Habeas Corpus
A legal action that lets a person challenge the legality of their detention or imprisonment.
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Holding
The court's specific legal ruling on the issue actually decided in a case, which becomes binding precedent.
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Indictment
A formal written accusation, typically issued by a grand jury, charging a person with a serious crime.
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Jurisdiction
A court's legal authority to hear and decide a particular case.
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Motion
A formal written or oral request asking a court to make a ruling or take a specific action.
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Opinion
A court's written explanation of its decision and the reasons behind it.
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Plaintiff
The person or organization who starts a civil lawsuit.
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Precedent
A previously decided case that guides how courts decide similar cases in the future.
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Probable Cause
A reasonable basis, grounded in facts, for believing that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime exists in a particular place.
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Statute
A written law formally enacted by a legislature.
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CaseCompass provides general legal education and research guidance. Laws and procedures may differ by jurisdiction. This information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.