Plain-language definitions for the legal terms you encounter most — no law degree required.
When a court officially decides that someone accused of a crime is not guilty. Once acquitted, the government cannot charge that person with the same crime again.
Example: A jury finds a defendant not guilty of robbery after reviewing the evidence — that verdict is an acquittal.
A written statement that you sign under oath, promising that everything in it is true. It carries the same legal weight as testifying in court.
Example: A witness who cannot attend a hearing writes down what they saw, signs it in front of a notary, and submits it as an affidavit.
A formal request asking a higher court to review a lower court's decision. The higher court looks for legal mistakes — it does not hold a brand-new trial.
Example: A person convicted of fraud believes the judge gave the jury wrong instructions, so they file an appeal asking a higher court to review the case.
The first court appearance after someone is charged with a crime. The judge reads the charges out loud and the defendant says whether they are guilty or not guilty.
Example: After being arrested for theft, Maria appears before a judge at her arraignment and pleads not guilty.
Money paid to the court so a person can be released from jail while waiting for trial. If they show up to all their court dates, the money is returned.
Example: A judge sets bail at $5,000. The defendant's family pays it, and he goes home until his trial date.
The responsibility to show enough evidence to win your case. In criminal cases the standard is very high — guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases it just needs to be more likely than not.
Example: In a car accident lawsuit, the injured driver must show it is more likely than not that the other driver was at fault.
A lawsuit where one person (or a small group) sues on behalf of a much larger group of people who all have the same complaint. It lets everyone's claims be handled together in one case.
Example: Thousands of customers were overcharged by the same company, so one customer files a class action lawsuit on behalf of all of them.
Disrespecting or disobeying a court's authority or orders. It can result in fines or even jail time.
Example: A parent who ignores a court order to pay child support can be held in contempt and fined.
A legally binding agreement between two or more people. For it to be valid, one side must make an offer, the other must accept, and both must exchange something of value.
Example: You hire a plumber to fix your pipes for $300. You both agree to the terms — that is a contract.
Money a court orders someone to pay to make up for harm they caused. Some damages cover actual losses; others are meant to punish especially bad behavior.
Example: A driver runs a red light and injures a cyclist. The court orders the driver to pay the cyclist's medical bills — those are damages.
The person or company being sued or charged with a crime. In a civil case they are being sued; in a criminal case the government is prosecuting them.
Example: When a customer sues a store for a slip-and-fall injury, the store is the defendant.
A formal interview where a witness answers questions under oath before the trial begins. Everything said is recorded and can be used later in court.
Example: Before a personal injury trial, the plaintiff's doctor is deposed — a lawyer asks questions and the answers are recorded word for word.
The stage before trial where both sides share information and evidence with each other. This prevents surprises at trial and helps both sides understand the full picture.
Example: In a wrongful termination case, the employee's lawyer requests emails and HR records from the company during discovery.
The constitutional right to fair treatment from the government before it takes away your freedom, property, or life. It means the government must follow fair rules and respect your fundamental rights.
Example: Before a city can demolish someone's home, it must give the owner proper notice and a chance to be heard — that is due process.
The constitutional rule that the government must treat people in similar situations equally. Laws that treat groups differently — especially by race or national origin — face very close scrutiny from courts.
Example: A state law that gives different voting rights to citizens based on their race would violate the Equal Protection Clause.
Anything presented in court to help prove or disprove the facts of a case — documents, photos, witness testimony, or physical objects. It must follow specific rules to be allowed in court.
Example: Security camera footage showing a suspect at the scene of a robbery is evidence in the criminal trial.
A serious crime that can result in more than one year in prison. Felonies often have long-lasting consequences beyond prison, like losing the right to vote.
Example: Armed robbery is a felony. A conviction can mean several years in state prison and a permanent criminal record.
A group of regular citizens who review evidence in secret to decide if there is enough reason to formally charge someone with a serious crime. The accused person has no right to speak at this stage.
Example: Prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury in a murder case. The grand jury decides there is enough evidence to proceed, so formal charges are filed.
A legal tool that lets someone who is imprisoned challenge whether their detention is lawful. It forces the government to justify why it is holding a person in custody.
Example: A prisoner who believes their trial was unfair files a habeas corpus petition asking a court to review whether their imprisonment is legal.
An official written document from a grand jury formally charging someone with a serious crime. It is required before many federal and state felony prosecutions can move forward.
Example: After reviewing evidence, a grand jury issues an indictment charging a business executive with fraud.
A court order telling someone to do something — or to stop doing something. Courts can issue a quick temporary order right away, or a longer-lasting one after a full hearing.
Example: A company discovers a former employee is sharing trade secrets with a competitor. The company gets an injunction ordering the employee to stop immediately.
A court's legal authority to hear a particular case. A court must have jurisdiction over the location, the type of case, and the people involved — otherwise its ruling is not valid.
Example: A small claims court in Texas cannot hear a case about a contract dispute that happened entirely in New York — it lacks jurisdiction.
Legal responsibility for causing harm or failing to act when you should have. If you are found liable, you typically have to pay money to the person you harmed.
Example: A restaurant fails to clean up a spill and a customer slips and breaks their wrist. The restaurant is liable for the customer's medical bills.
The entire process of taking a legal dispute through the court system — from filing the initial complaint all the way through trial and any appeals.
Example: After a contractor refuses to fix shoddy work, the homeowner begins litigation by filing a lawsuit in civil court.
A voluntary process where a neutral person helps two sides in a dispute reach their own agreement. Unlike a judge, the mediator cannot force a decision on anyone.
Example: Two neighbors disagree over a property line. Instead of going to court, they hire a mediator who helps them reach a compromise.
A less serious crime than a felony, usually punishable by a fine or up to one year in a local jail — not a state prison.
Example: Shoplifting a $50 item is typically a misdemeanor. The penalty might be a fine and community service rather than prison time.
Failing to be as careful as a reasonable person would be, and causing harm as a result. To win a negligence case you must show the other person had a duty to be careful, broke that duty, and that their carelessness caused your injury.
Example: A driver runs a stop sign and hits another car. Because a careful driver would have stopped, the driver is negligent.
The person or company who starts a civil lawsuit. The plaintiff is the one claiming they were harmed and asking the court for relief.
Example: After being injured in a car accident, James files a lawsuit against the other driver. James is the plaintiff.
A deal between a prosecutor and a defendant where the defendant agrees to plead guilty — usually to a lesser charge or for a lighter sentence — in exchange for skipping a full trial.
Example: Charged with assault, a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct in exchange for probation instead of jail time.
A reasonable belief, based on facts, that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime is in a specific place. Police need probable cause before they can arrest someone or search their property.
Example: An officer smells marijuana coming from a car and sees drug paraphernalia in plain sight — that gives probable cause to search the vehicle.
A legal deadline for filing a lawsuit or criminal charge. If you wait too long, you permanently lose the right to take legal action — no matter how strong your case is.
Example: In many states, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. Miss that deadline and your case is dismissed.
An official court order requiring someone to appear in court to testify, or to hand over documents and other evidence. Ignoring a subpoena can get you held in contempt of court.
Example: A lawyer subpoenas a bank to produce a defendant's financial records as evidence in a fraud case.
A civil wrong — not a crime and not a broken contract — that causes harm to someone and creates legal responsibility. Common examples include careless accidents, false statements, and trespassing.
Example: A blogger publishes false statements that damage someone's reputation. That is a tort called defamation, and the blogger can be sued for it.
The official decision a jury (or judge) reaches at the end of a trial. In criminal cases it is guilty or not guilty; in civil cases it decides who wins and how much money is owed.
Example: After deliberating for two days, the jury returns a verdict of guilty on all counts against the defendant.
A court order giving police permission to arrest someone or search a specific place. The Constitution requires warrants to be based on probable cause and to clearly describe what or who is being searched.
Example: Police suspect drugs are being stored in an apartment. They present evidence to a judge, who issues a search warrant allowing them to enter and search.
Explore our full library of plain-language legal articles across 14 areas of law.
Explore All Topics