Making justice more accessible for all.
Haciendo la justicia accesible para todas las personas.
EMPOWERMENT HUB
In this space, we have gathered together a collection of terms we have heard during our thousands of hours of Courtwatching. We have attempted to simplify the terms in order to make them more accessible to you, the public. We have also included an index of English to Spanish translations for other words heard in court.
En este espacio hemos recopilado un compendio de términos obtenidos a partir de miles de horas de observación en los tribunales. Nuestra intención es mejorar la accesibilidad para todas las personas. Además, hemos incluido un índice de traducciones entre inglés y español para los términos judiciales más comunes.
Courtwatching Glossary
402 Conference
A private meeting between the judge, the prosecutor, and the defendant's attorney (and sometimes the defendant) to discuss a possible plea agreement in a criminal case.
Acquittal
Where the court decides a person on trial is not guilty of the crime they were charged with. It doesn't always mean they didn’t do it — it just means the state didn’t have enough evidence to prove them guilty.
Admonish
Where a judge formally tells the person on trial about their legal rights or an offer they are being given.
Affidavit
A written statement where a person promises that everything they said is true, and they make that promise under oath.
Amend
To officially change or fix a legal document or charges.
Answer
An official reply to a legal claim or accusation, often in writing, given during a court hearing.
Alternative Courts
Other courts offered if defendants meet specific criteria where they will get extra resources; an option other than going into prison. (Drug/Alcohol, Mental Health, Veteran, Restorative Justice)
Appeal
Asking a higher court to look at a decision made by a lower court. It’s done to check if there were any mistakes in how the law was used during the first trial.
Arraignment
A formal court hearing where a defendant is officially told of the criminal charges against them. The defense enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest) and asks for evidence (called discovery).
Assistant States Attorney (ASA)
Prosecutors that work for the state’s attorney.
Bail
Money paid to let a person out of jail while they wait for their trial.
BCX
Behavioral Clinical Examination
Bench Trial
A trial where a judge makes all decisions on a case instead of a jury.
Brief
A written paper that explains a person’s legal arguments and the facts that support them.
Burden
The responsibility to prove something in court. The person bringing the case has to show enough evidence to convince the judge or jury that what they’re saying is true.
Class X Charges
Charges for offenses the courts see as most serious. If found guilty, they have a possible range of 6-30 years in prison.
Class 1 Felony
Charges, where if found guilty, have a possible range of 4-15 years in prison.
Class 2 Felony
Charges, where if found guilty, have a possible range of 3-7 years in prison.
Class 3 Felony
Charges, where if found guilty, have a possible range of 2-5 years in prison.
Class 4 Felony
Charges, where if found guilty, have a possible range of 1-3 years in prison.
Co-Defendants (Coddie)
Two or more people or groups who are being accused of the same crime or charge and are going to court together.
Complaint
A written document that explains what happened, what a person thinks was wrong, and what they want the court to do to fix the problem.
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Where two different courts are allowed to hear the same case. For example, a case might be able to go to either state circuit court or federal court.
Contempt
Disrespect or disobedience toward the court or its rules
Concurrent Sentences
A sentence served at the same time. If someone receives concurrent sentences for multiple crimes, they serve the longest of those sentences
Conditional discharge
When the court says a person is guilty, but doesn’t give them a punishment right away. Instead, the person must follow certain rules for a set amount of time. If they do everything they’re supposed to, the charge might be dropped and cleared from their record. But if they break the rules or get into more trouble, the court can give them a punishment for the original crime and possibly for any new ones too.
Continuance
When a court hearing or trial is delayed and moved to a later date. This can happen if someone needs more time to get ready, find witnesses, or if something unexpected happens that makes it hard to go forward as planned.
Consecutive sentences
Where a person will serve one sentence after the other. So if they get 5 years for one crime and 10 years for another, they will spend 15 years in total in prison.
Court Transcript
A document that is the official record of everything said and done in a courtroom.
Cross-Examination
Where the other side’s lawyer gets to ask questions to a witness who already spoke in court. The goal is to test the truth of what the witness said and to find any problems or weaknesses in their story.
Defendant
The person being accused or sued in a court of law.
Deposition
When a witness answers questions under oath outside the courtroom, usually in a lawyer’s office. Everything they say is recorded by a court reporter and can be used later in court.
Detention Hearing
Where a judge decides if a person who was arrested should stay in jail or be allowed to go home. The prosecutor explains why they think the person should stay in jail, and the defense explains why the person should be let go.
Discovery
The time before a trial when both sides share information about the case. This includes things like evidence and witness names. It helps make sure no one is surprised at trial and that both sides have a fair chance to prepare.
Dismissal
The ending of a case or legal action.
DNA Swab
Where a brush or cotton swab is used to brush the inside of a person's cheek to get DNA. Done for all people found guilty of a felony.
Docket
The list of cases on the court’s calendar and scheduled to be hard by the court
Evidence
Information or things shown in court to help prove if something is true or not true.
Exhibit
A document, photograph, object, or other item formally introduced as evidence to support a case
Exclusionary Rule
When evidence is found in a way that breaks the law or a person’s rights, it can’t be used in court.
Ex Parte Communication
When one party in a legal case communicates with the judge or decision
Expert Witness
A person with special knowledge or skills who is asked to talk in court. They explain complicated things, like science or technology, to help the judge and jury understand the evidence and decide what really happened.
Felony
A serious crime punishable by prison time (typically over one year).
Finding
When the judge or jury decides the facts in a case—basically, they figure out what really happened.
Gag Order
When a judge tells people involved in a case—like lawyers, parties, or witnesses—not to talk about the case in public while it’s still happening.
Global Offer (or Plea)
When the court combines several cases against one person into one single deal.
Grand Jury
A group of regular people who meet to decide if there is enough evidence to officially charge someone with a crime. They help protect people from unfair charges and can also look into possible crimes.
Guilty
A court decision that says someone is legally responsible for committing the crime they were accused of.
Habeas Corpus
A legal rule that says if someone is arrested, they must be brought before a judge to make sure their arrest is fair and legal.
Habitual Criminal Charges
When a person has been found guilty of at least two crimes before they can face tougher punishments under special laws for repeat offenders.
Hearing
A formal meeting in court where a judge listens to both sides, looks at evidence, and hears arguments about a specific issue. It helps the judge make decisions before the full trial begins.
Hearsay
When someone in court tries to use a statement made outside of court to prove that something is true. Usually, hearsay isn’t allowed because the person who said it isn’t there to be questioned.
Hung Jury
When a group of people deciding a case can’t agree if the person is guilty or not guilty. They can’t all agree on the same decision.
Impeachment
A formal process where government leaders are officially accused of doing something wrong, like abusing power or being corrupt. It’s a way for lawmakers to hold these officials responsible for bad behavior.
Independent Community Service
Community service done at a location that is chosen by the defendant, not the courts. Can only be allowed on a judges order.
Indictment
A formal charge issued by a grand jury stating there is enough evidence for trial.
Injunction
A court order that tells someone to either do something or stop doing something. It’s a way for the court to make sure people follow the rules.
Judge
The official who presides over the courtroom, interprets the law, and rules on matters.
Judgement
The final decision made by a judge or court in a case. It says who won and what must happen next, like paying money or doing something the court ordered.
Jurisdiction
The legal power a court or government has to make decisions about certain people, places, or types of cases. It tells which court is allowed to handle a case.
Jury Trial
Where a group of regular people, called a jury, listens to the evidence and then decides if the person is guilty or not guilty (in a criminal case) or who is right (in a civil case).
Jury Nullification
When a jury returns a "not guilty" verdict despite believing the defendant is technically guilty under the law, essentially disregarding the judge's instructions or the evidence presented
Key Witness
Someone who possesses crucial information about a case, particularly a crime, that can significantly impact the outcome of legal proceedings.
Legal Aid
When people who can’t afford a lawyer get free or low
Litigation
The process of going to court to solve a problem or disagreement by using the law.
MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)
A way to help people with addiction to drugs or alcohol. It uses medication along with counseling and support to treat both the body and mind, helping reduce drug use, overdoses, and chances of getting in trouble again.
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime that usually carries less than one year in jail and/or fines.
Mistrial
When a trial is stopped and declared invalid because of a big mistake or because the jury can’t agree on a verdict. It may lead to a new trial later.
Mitigating Circumstances
Facts or situations that make a crime seem less serious or show that the person might not be fully responsible. These can lead to a lighter punishment.
Motion
A formal request someone in a court case makes to a judge, asking for a decision or order about something specific in the case.
Motion in Limine (Lim-oh-nay)
A request made before a trial where lawyers ask the judge to decide what evidence can or cannot be used during the trial. It helps make sure the trial is fair by keeping out things that could unfairly influence the jury.
Motion for Relief
A form of detention hearing done after someone has already had a detention hearing. To do this, the defense attorney must get a copy of the official court transcript from the original detention hearing. (This takes more time to get).
Motion to Quash
A formal request by a defense attorney asking the judge to hold a hearing (with witnesses if chosen) to stop or discredit certain evidence so that it cannot be used at trial.
MUD Unit
When there are co
Negligence
When a person doesn’t act carefully enough, and because of that, someone else gets hurt.
Not Guilty
A decision that means the prosecution didn’t prove the person committed the crime. (Not the same as innocent).
Nolle Prosequi (Nolle Prosse)
A decision by the prosecutor to dismiss a case/not press charges.
Objection
When a lawyer speaks up during a trial to say that something is not being done fairly or correctly. The judge then decides if it’s allowed or not.
Opening Statement
The first chance each side (prosecution and defense) has to explain their case to the judge or jury.
Parole
When a person is let out of prison early but must follow certain rules and be watched closely. If they break the rules, they might have to go back to prison.
Plea Bargain
An agreement where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence or charge
Post-Conviction
Legal steps that happen after someone is found guilty of a crime. This can include asking for a new trial, appealing the decision, or trying to change the sentence.
Precedent
A legal decision made in an earlier case that sets an example for how similar cases should be decided.
Preliminary investigation
The first step a lawyer takes after agreeing to help a client. The lawyer looks into the facts the client shared and gathers other important information to understand the case better.
Preponderance
When it’s more likely than not that someone did something — like being just a little more than 51% sure. IThe state doesn’t have to prove guilt as strongly as in criminal trials.
Pretrial Investigation (PTI)
A report created by a probation officer (or similar official) to help the judge understand the defendant’s background, criminal history, and personal life before making decisions about bail, plea deals, or sentencing. (Also called a Pre-Sentence Investigation, or PSI).
Pretrial Motions
A motion before a trial asking the court to mak a judgment without going through the full trial process.
Probation
When the court lets someone stay out of jail but watches them closely to make sure they follow special rules and complete tasks the court gives them.
Proof of Other Crimes Motion
When lawyers ask the judge if they can show evidence about crimes the person did before (but isn’t being accused of in this case). This helps decide if that information can be used during the trial or not.
Quash
To officially cancel or stop something legal, like a court order or a charge, so it’s no longer valid.
Quorum
The smallest number of people needed.
Reasonable Doubt
Where the jury or judge has to be really sure the person did the crime. If there’s any good reason to believe they might not have done it, the person must be found not guilty.
Recusal
When a judge or lawyer steps away from a case because they can’t be fair—maybe because they know someone involved or have a reason to be biased.
Reduced Charges
Less serious criminal charges that a defendant agrees to plead guilty to in place of the original, more serious charges.
Remand into Custody
To send a person back into jail or detention, usually while they wait for their next court date or trial.
Restitution
Money the offender must pay to the victim to cover things like stolen property, medical bills, or repair costs.
Sanction
A penalty or consequence ordered by a judge against a defendant for violating court rules, procedures, or orders. (can be up to 30 days in jail)
Set for Motion
When the court has planned a meeting to talk about and decide on a specific request from one of the lawyers.
Statute
An official rule or law created by a government that tells people what they can or cannot do.
Subpoena
A court order requiring someone to appear in court or produce evidence.
Summons
An official legal document issued by a court that notifies a person that they are required to appear in court for a specific reason.
Superseded
Where an old legal decision or paper has been replaced by a newer one and is no longer used.
Supreme Court Rule 404
Applying for a waiver for court assessment fees due to challenges in paying them.
Testimony
Statements made under oath by witnesses during a trial.
Time Saved
Reduced prison or probation sentences as a result of community support in court and personal background information that help the judge see the person beyond just their charges.
Transcript
An official written record of all that is said or done in court
Trial
Where someone appears in court to determine the outcome of a case based on the facts and law. (Either in form of a Bench or Jury trial)
Unanimous
Where everyone in the jury agrees on the decision or verdict.
Unconstitutional
Something that goes against the rules, rights, or principles of the state or federal Constitution,
Uphold
When a court agrees with a law, decision, or verdict, and allows it to stay the same.
Verdict
A formal decision or judgment made by a jury (or sometimes a judge) at the end of a trial.
Victim Impact Statement
A written or spoken statement made by the victim of a crime (or their family) that describes how the crime has affected their life—emotionally, physically, financially, and otherwise.
Violation of Probation (VOP)
When a person who was placed on probation has broken one or more of the rules or conditions set by the court.
Voir Dire
The process where lawyers ask questions to people who might be on the jury to see if they’re fair and can decide the case without bias.
Warrant
A legal document allowing law enforcement to take action (arrest, search, etc.).
Witness
A person who sees, hears, or knows something important related to a legal case and can provide information about it in court.
Wrongful Conviction
When someone is found guilty of a crime they did NOT commit.
Yielding the Floor
When a lawyer gives up their turn to speak or present their argument so that someone else—often the judge or the opposing lawyer—can speak or take an action.
Youthful Offender
Legal status for young people given special consideration or sentencing.
Zero Tolerance
Strict enforcement policies with predetermined consequences.
Words of the Court | Palabras Del Tribunal
Abandoned property
bienes abandonados
Acceptance
aceptación; consentimiento; acuerdo
Acceptor
aceptante
Accession
toma de posesión; aumento; accesión
Accommodation indorser
avalista de favor
Accommodation party
firmante de favor
Accord
acuerdo; convenio; arregio
Accord and satisfaction
transacción ejecutada
Act of state doctrine
doctrina de acto de gobierno
Administrative law
derecho administrativo
Administrative process
procedimiento o metódo administrativo
Administrator
administrador (-a)
Adverse possession
posesión de hecho susceptible de proscripción adquisitiva
Affirmative action
acción afirmativa
Affirmative defense
defensa afirmativa
After-acquired property
bienes adquiridos con posterioridad a un hecho dado
Agency
mandato; agencia
Agent
mandatorio; agente; representante
Agreement
convenio; acuerdo; contrato
Alien corporation
empresa extranjera
Allonge
hojas adicionales de endosos
Answer
contestación de la demande; alegato
Anticipatory repudiation
anuncio previo de las partes de su imposibilidad de cumplir con el contrato
Appeal
apelación; recurso de apelación
Appellate jurisdiction
jurisdicción de apelaciones
Appraisal right
derecho de valuación
Arbitration
arbitraje
Arson
incendio intencional
Articles of partnership
contrato social
Artisan’s lien
derecho de retención que ejerce al artesano
Assault
asalto; ataque; agresión
Assignment of rights
transmisión; transferencia; cesión
Assumption of risk
no resarcimiento por exposición voluntaria al peligro
Attachment
auto judicial que autoriza el embargo; embargo
Bailee
depositario
Bailment
depósito; constitución en depósito
Bailor
depositante
Bankruptcy trustee
síndico de la quiebra
Battery
agresión; física
Bearer
portador; tenedor
Bearer instrument
documento al portador
Bequest or legacy
legado (de bienes muebles)
Bilateral contract
contrato bilateral
Bill of lading
conocimiento de embarque; carta de porte
Bill of Rights
declaración de derechos
Binder
póliza de seguro provisoria; recibo de pago a cuenta del precio
Blank indorsement
endoso en blanco
Blue sky laws
leyes reguladoras del comercio bursátil
Bond
título de crédito; garantía; caución
Bond indenture
contrato de emisión de bonos; contrato del ampréstito
Breach of contract
incumplimiento de contrato
Brief
escrito; resumen; informe
Burglary
violación de domicilio
Business judgment rule
regla de juicio comercial
Business tort
agravio comercial
Case law
ley de casos; derecho casuístico
Cashier’s check
cheque de caja
Causation in fact
causalidad en realidad
Cease-and-desist order
orden para cesar y desistir
Certificate of deposit
certificado de depósito
Certified check
cheque certificado
Charitable trust
fideicomiso para fines benéficos
Chattel
bien mueble
Check
cheque
Chose in action
derecho inmaterial; derecho de acción
Civil law
derecho civil
Close corporation
sociedad de un solo accionista o de un grupo restringido de accionistas
Closed shop
taller agremiado (emplea solamente a miembros de un gremio)
Closing argument
argumento al final
Codicil
codicilo
Collateral
guarantía; bien objeto de la guarantía real
Comity
cortesía; cortesía entre naciones
Commercial paper
instrumentos negociables; documentos a valores commerciales
Common law
derecho consuetudinario; derecho común; ley común
Common stock
acción ordinaria
Comparative negligence
negligencia comparada
Compensatory damages
daños y perjuicios reales o compensatorios
Concurrent conditions
condiciones concurrentes
Concurrent jurisdiction
competencia concurrente de varios tribunales para entender en una misma causa
Concurring opinion
opinión concurrente
Condition
condición
Condition precedent
condición suspensiva
Condition subsequent
condición resolutoria
Confiscation
confiscación
Confusion
confusión; fusión
Conglomerate merger
fusión de firmas que operan en distintos mercados
Consent decree
acuerdo entre las partes aprobado por un tribunal
Consequential damages
daños y perjuicios indirectos
Consideration
consideración; motivo; contraprestación
Consolidation
consolidación
Constructive delivery
entrega simbólica
Constructive trust
fideicomiso creado por aplicación de la ley
Consumer protection law
ley para proteger el consumidor
Contract
contrato
Contract under seal
contrato formal o sellado
Contributory negligence
negligencia de la parte actora
Conversion
usurpación; conversión de valores
Copyright
derecho de autor
Corporation
sociedad anómina; corporación; persona juridica
Co-sureties
cogarantes
Counterclaim
reconvención; contrademanda
Counteroffer
contraoferta
Course of dealing
curso de transacciones
Course of performance
curso de cumplimiento
Covenant
pacto; garantía; contrato
Covenant not to sue
pacto or contrato a no demandar
Covenant of quiet enjoyment
garantía del uso y goce pacífico del inmueble
Creditors’ composition agreement
concordato preventivo
Crime
crimen; delito; contravención
Criminal law
derecho penal
Cross-examination
contrainterrogatorio
Cure
cura; cuidado; derecho de remediar un vicio contractual
Customs receipts
recibos de derechos aduaneros
Damages
daños; indemnización por daños y perjuicios
Debit card
tarjeta de dé bito
Debtor
deudor
Debt securities
seguridades de deuda
Deceptive advertising
publicidad engañosa
Deed
escritura; título; acta translativa de domino
Defamation
difamación
Delegation of duties
delegación de obligaciones
Demand deposit
depósito a la vista
Deposition
declaración de un testigo fuera del tribunal
Devise
legado; deposición testamentaria (bienes inmuebles)
Direct examination
interrogatorio directo; primer interrogatorio
Directed verdict
veredicto según orden del juez y sin participación activa del jurado
Disaffirmance
repudiación; renuncia; anulación
Discharge
descargo; liberación; cumplimiento
Disclosed principal
mandante revelado
Discovery
descubrimiento; producción de la prueba
Dissenting opinion
opinión disidente
Dissolution
disolución; terminación
Diversity of citizenship
competencia de los tribunales federales para entender en causas cuyas partes intervinientes son cuidadanos de distintos estados
Divestiture
extinción premature de derechos reales
Dividend
dividendo
Docket
orden del día; lista de causas pendientes
Domestic corporation
sociedad local
Draft
orden de pago; letrade cambio
Drawee
girado; beneficiario
Drawer
librador
Duress
coacción; violencia
Easement
servidumbre
Embezzlement
desfalco; malversación
Eminent domain
poder de expropiación
Employment discrimination
discriminación en el empleo
Entrepreneur
empresario
Environmental law
ley ambiental
Equal dignity rule
regla de dignidad egual
Equity security
tipo de participación en una sociedad
Estate
propiedad; patrimonio; derecho
Estop
impedir; prevenir
Ethical issue
cuestión ética
Exclusive jurisdiction
competencia exclusiva
Exculpatory clause
cláusula eximente
Executed contract
contrato ejecutado
Execution
ejecución; cumplimiento
Executor
albacea
Executory contract
contrato aún no completamente consumado
Executory interest
derecho futuro
Express contract
contrato expreso
Expropriation
expropriación
Federal question
caso federal
Fee simple
pleno dominio; dominio absoluto
Fee simple absolute
dominio absoluto
Fee simple defeasible
dominio sujeta a una condición resolutoria
Felony
crimen; delito grave
Fictitious payee
beneficiario ficticio
Fiduciary
fiduciaro
Firm offer
oferta en firme
Fixture
inmueble por destino, incorporación a anexación
Floating lien
gravamen continuado
Foreign corporation
sociedad extranjera; U.S. sociedad constituída en otro estado
Forgery
falso; falsificación
Formal contract
contrato formal
Franchise
privilegio; franquicia; concesión
Franchisee
persona que recibe una concesión
Franchisor
persona que vende una concesión
Fraud
fraude; dolo; engaño
Future interest
bien futuro
Garnishment
embargo de derechos
General partner
socio comanditario
General warranty deed
escritura translativa de domino con garantía de título
Gift
donación
Gift causa mortis
donación por causa de muerte
Gift inter vivos
donación entre vivos
Good faith
buena fe
Good faith purchaser
comprador de buena fe
Holder
tenedor por contraprestación
Holder in due course
tenedor legítimo
Holographic will
testamento olográfico
Homestead exemption laws
leyes que exceptúan las casas de familia de ejecución por duedas generales
Horizontal merger
fusión horizontal
Identification
identificación
Implied-in-fact contract
contrato implícito en realidad
Implied warranty
guarantía implícita
Implied warranty of merchantability
garantía implícita de vendibilidad
Impossibility of performance
imposibilidad de cumplir un contrato
Imposter
imposter
Incidental beneficiary
beneficiario incidental; beneficiario secundario
Incidental damages
daños incidentales
Indictment
auto de acusación; acusación
Indorsee
endorsatario
Indorsement
endoso
Indorser
endosante
Informal contract
contrato no formal; contrato verbal
Information
acusación hecha por el ministerio público
Injunction
mandamiento; orden de no innovar
Innkeeper’s lien
derecho de retención que ejerce el posadero
Installment contract
contrato de pago en cuotas
Insurable interest
interés asegurable
Intended beneficiary
beneficiario destinado
Intentional tort
agravio; cuasidelito intenciónal
International law
derecho internaciónal
Interrogatories
preguntas escritas sometidas por una parte a la otra o a un testigo
Inter vivos trust
fideicomiso entre vivos
Intestacy laws
leyes de la condición de morir intestado
Intestate
intestado
Investment company
compañia de inversiones
Issue
emisión
Joint tenancy
derechos conjuntos en un bien inmueble en favor del beneficiario sobreviviente
Judgment n.o.v.
juicio no obstante veredicto
Judgment rate of interest
interés de juicio
Judicial process
acto de procedimiento; proceso jurídico
Judicial review
revisión judicial
Jurisdiction
jurisdicción
Larceny
robo; hurto
Law
derecho; ley; jurisprudencia
Lease
contrato de locación; contrato de alquiler
Leasehold estate
bienes forales
Legal rate of interest
interés legal
Legatee
legatario
Letter of credit
carta de crédito
Levy
embargo; comiso
Libel
libelo; difamación escrita
Life estate
usufructo
Limited partner
comanditario
Limited partnership
sociedad en comandita
Liquidation
liquidación; realización
Lost property
objetos perdidos
Majority opinion
opinión de la mayoría
Maker
persona que realiza u ordena; librador
Mechanic’s lien
gravamen de constructor
Mediation
mediación; intervención
Merger
fusión
Mirror image rule
fallo de reflejo
Misdemeanor
infracción; contravención
Mislaid property
bienes extraviados
Mitigation of damages
reducción de daños
Mortgage
hypoteca
Motion to dismiss
excepción parentoria
Mutual fund
fondo mutual
Negotiable instrument
instrumento negociable
Negotiation
negociación
Nominal damages
daños y perjuicios nominales
Novation
novación
Nuncupative will
testamento nuncupativo
Objective theory of contracts
teoria objetiva de contratos
Offer
oferta
Offeree
persona que recibe una oferta
Offeror
oferente
Order instrument
instrumento o documento a la orden
Original jurisdiction
jurisdicción de primera instancia
Output contract
contrato de producción
Parol evidence rule
regla relativa a la prueba oral
Partially disclosed principal
mandante revelado en parte
Partnership
sociedad colectiva; asociación; asociación de participación
Past consideration
causa o contraprestación anterior
Patent
patente; privilegio
Pattern or practice
muestra o práctica
Payee
beneficiario de un pago
Penalty
pena; penalidad
Per capita
por cabeza
Perfection
perfeción
Performance
cumplimiento; ejecución
Personal defenses
excepciones personales
Personal property
bienes muebles
Per stirpes
por estirpe
Plea bargaining
regateo por un alegato
Pleadings
alegatos
Pledge
prenda
Police powers
poders de policia y de prevención del crimen
Policy
póliza
Positive law
derecho positivo; ley positiva
Possibility of reverter
posibilidad de reversión
Precedent
precedente
Preemptive right
derecho de prelación
Preferred stock
acciones preferidas
Premium
recompensa; prima
Presentment warranty
garantía de presentación
Price discrimination
discriminación en los precios
Principal
mandante; principal
Privity
nexo jurídico
Privity of contract
relación contractual
Probable cause
causa probable
Probate
verificación; verificación del testamento
Probate court
tribunal de sucesiones y tutelas
Proceeds
resultados; ingresos
Profit
beneficio; utilidad; lucro
Promise
promesa
Promisee
beneficiario de una promesa
Promisor
promtente
Promissory estoppel
impedimento promisorio
Promissory note
pagaré; nota de pago
Promoter
promotor; fundador
Proximate cause
causa inmediata o próxima
Proxy
apoderado; poder
Punitive, or exemplary, damages
daños y perjuicios punitivos o ejemplares
Qualified indorsement
endoso con reservas
Quasi contract
contrato tácito o implícito
Quitclaim deed
acto de transferencia de una propiedad por finiquito, pero sin ninguna garantía sobre la validez del título transferido
Ratification
ratificación
Real property
bienes inmuebles
Reasonable doubt
duda razonable
Rebuttal
refutación
Recognizance
promesa; compromiso; reconocimiento
Recording statutes
leyes estatales sobre registros oficiales
Redress
reporacíon
Reformation
rectificación; reforma; corrección
Rejoinder
dúplica; contrarréplica
Release
liberación; renuncia a un derecho
Remainder
substitución; reversión
Remedy
recurso; remedio; reparación
Replevin
acción reivindicatoria; reivindicación
Reply
réplica
Requirements contract
contrato de suministro
Res judicata
cosa juzgada; res judicata
Rescission
rescisión
Respondeat superior
responsabilidad del mandante o del maestro
Restitution
restitución
Restrictive indorsement
endoso restrictivo
Resulting trust
fideicomiso implícito
Reversion
reversión; sustitución
Revocation
revocación; derogación
Right of contribution
derecho de contribución
Right of reimbursement
derecho de reembolso
Right of subrogation
derecho de subrogación
Right-to-work law
ley de libertad de trabajo
Robbery
robo
Rule 10b-5
Regla 10b-5
Sale
venta; contrato de compreventa
Sale on approval
venta a ensayo; venta sujeta a la aprobación del comprador
Sale or return
venta con derecho de devolución
Sales contract
contrato de compraventa; boleto de compraventa
Satisfaction
satisfacción; pago
Scienter
a sabiendas
S corporation
S corporación
Secured party
acreedor garantizado
Secured transaction
transacción garantizada
Securities
volares; titulos; seguridades
Security agreement
convenio de seguridad
Security interest
interés en un bien dado en garantía que permite a quien lo detenta venderlo en caso de incumplimiento
Service mark
marca de identificación de servicios
Shareholder’s derivative suit
acción judicial entablada por un accionista en nombre de la sociedad
Signature
firma; rúbrica
Slander
difamación oral; calumnia
Sovereign immunity
immunidad soberana
Special indorsement
endoso especial; endoso a la orden de una person en particular
Specific performance
ejecución precisa, según los términos del contrato
Spendthrift trust
fideicomiso para pródigos
Stale check
cheque vencido
Stare decisis
acatar las decisiones, observar los precedentes
Statutory law
derecho estatutario; derecho legislado; derecho escrito
Stock
acciones
Stock warrant
certificado para la compra de acciones
Stop-payment order
orden de suspensión del pago de un cheque dada por el librador del mismo
Strict liability
responsabilidad uncondicional
Summary judgment
fallo sumario
Tangible property
bienes corpóreos
Tenancy at will
inguilino por tiempo indeterminado (según la voluntad del propietario)
Tenancy by sufferance
posesión por tolerancia
Tenancy by the entirety
locación conyugal conjunta
Tenancy for years
inguilino por un término fijo
Tenancy in common
specie de copropiedad indivisa
Tender
oferta de pago; oferta de ejecución
Testamentary trust
fideicomiso testamentario
Testator
testador (-a)
Third party beneficiary contract
contrato para el beneficio del tercero-beneficiario
Tort
agravio; cuasidelito
Totten trust
fideicomiso creado por un depósito bancario
Trade acceptance
letra de cambio aceptada
Trade name
nombre comercial; razón social
Trademark
marca registrada
Traveler’s check
cheque del viajero
Trespass to land
ingreso no authorizado a las tierras de otro
Trespass to personal property
violación de los derechos posesorios de un tercero con respecto a bienes muebles
Trust
fideicomiso; trust
Ultra vires
fuera de la facultad (de una sociedad anónima)
Unanimous opinion
opinión unámine
Unconscionable contract or clause
contrato leonino; cláusula leonino
Underwriter
subscriptor; asegurador
Unenforceable contract
contrato que no se puede hacer cumplir
Unilateral contract
contrato unilateral
Union shop
taller agremiado; empresa en la que todos los empleados son miembros del gremio o sindicato
Universal defenses
defensas legitimas o legales
Usage of trade
uso comercial
Usury
usura
Valid contract
contrato válido
Venue
lugar; sede del proceso
Vertical merger
fusión vertical de empresas
Void contract
contrato nulo; contrato inválido, sin fuerza legal
Voidable contract
contrato anulable
Voir dire
examen preliminar de un testigo a jurado por el tribunal para determinar su competencia
Voting trust
fideicomiso para ejercer el derecho de voto
Waiver
renuncia; abandono
Warranty of habitability
garantía de habitabilidad
Watered stock
acciones diluídos; capital inflado
White-collar crime
crimen administrativo
Writ of attachment
mandamiento de ejecución; mandamiento de embargo
Writ of certiorari
auto de avocación; auto de certiorari
Writ of execution
auto ejecutivo; mandamiento de ejecutión
Writ of mandamus
auto de mandamus; mandamiento; orden judicial