Paralegal Glossary

This is a glossary made to help learn some words related to the Paralegal Technology.

accused

noun

The defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge.

Example: I am accused of committing a crime.

fr: accusé

allegation

noun

A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.

Example: He denied all allegation made against him.

fr: allégation

attorney

noun

One who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf; especially; lawyer.

Example: They had enough evidence after each attorney had presented their case.

fr: avocat(e)

bailiff

noun

An officer, similar to a sheriff's deputy, employed to execute writs and processes, make arrests, keep order in the court.

fr: huissier

burden of proof

noun

The obligation to prove one's assertion.

Example: Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you.

fr: fardeau de la preuve

court

noun

Place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate.

Example: Unless the court decision changes, we are OK.

fr: tribunal

evidence

noun

Matter produced before a court of law in an attempt to prove or disprove a point in issue, such as the statements of witnesses, documents, material objects, etc.

Example: His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.

fr: preuve

felony

noun

A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.

Example: Their armed display resulted in felony charges.

fr: crime

fraud

noun

Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

Example: If the auctioneer could afterward do this he might change the name, substitute another, and so perpetrate a fraud.

fr: fraude

guilty

adjective

Culpable of or responsible for a specified wrongdoing.

Example: The jury found her guilty of murder.

fr: coupable

hearing

noun

An opportunity to state one's case.

Example: The materials presented at a sentencing hearing are often entered as exhibits.

fr: audience

judge

noun

A public official with authority to hear cases in a court of law and pronounce judgment upon them.

Example: The judges of a beauty contest.

fr: juge

justice

noun

Just behaviour or treatment.

Example: To uphold the justice of a cause.

fr: justice

law

noun

The system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.

Example: Quinn has worked as an elections official in Virginia with von Spakovsky and has co-taught a law school course with him.

fr: loi

lawsuit

noun

A case in a court of law involving a claim, complaint, etc.

Example: In response, TikTok filed a lawsuit against the US government on the grounds that the ban prevents due process for the company.

fr: procès

lawyer

noun

A person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor.

Example: The investigation, which has been underway for more than a year, was revealed publicly in a recent Intuit filing in which the company’s lawyers appealed to the commission to limit the scope of its investigation.

fr: avocat(e)

prejudice

noun

Harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgment.

fr: préjudice

proof

noun

Something that induces certainty or establishes validity.

Example: What proof do you have?

fr: preuve

sentence

noun

The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offense.

Example: Knowledgeable sources say that the judge will announce the sentence early next week.

fr: peine

testimony

noun

A solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public officer.

Example: A key witness in that case offered testimony that experts concluded was false.

fr: témoiniage

trial

noun

A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.

Example: Prior to the trial, the Financial Conduct Authority said policies held by around 370,000 customers could be affected.

fr: procès

verdict

noun

A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.

Example: As his wife Yulia cried during the verdict — two years and eight months — he drew a heart for her on the glass wall of his court cage.

fr: jugement

witness

noun

A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.

Example: You saw a crime take place. You are a witness to this crime.

fr: témoin

This glossary was made with the Virtual Writing Tutor glossary maker and grammar checker.