AZ Court Help and Arizona courthouse accessibility information           Increase Font Size

A- A A+

Legal Term Glossary

General Legal Terms

Search for glossary terms (regular expression allowed)

Glossaries

Term Main definition
Appellee

The person against whom the appeal is taken.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a dispute resolution system.  In arbitration the disputing individuals each present their side of an issue to an arbitrator who will act like a judge and decide the matter. There are two types of arbitration: binding voluntary arbitration and mandatory non-binding arbitration.

Binding Voluntary Arbitration is a process where the disputing individuals agree to settle their matter privately outside of the public court system using an arbitrator, a professional decision maker that is chosen by one or both of the disputing parties, to decide the dispute. Arbitration does not require the use of court rules or procedures and is viewed as a simplified private court proceeding. Each side will present their case to the arbitrator who will then decide the issue. Once the matter is decided the case is over and in most cases the court will enforce the arbitrators decision.

Mandatory Non-binding Arbitration is a process used by the court system where individuals who meet certain qualifications will have their case decided by a court appointed arbitrator instead of a judge. Decisions made in this type of arbitration are non-binding meaning that either individual may ask for a new trial in trial court.

Arbitrator

An attorney selected to hear a case and settle the legal dispute without a formal trial.

Arizona Revised Statutes

Arizona Revised Statutes: Books containing the laws that the Arizona Legislature has enacted.

Synonyms - A.R.S., ARS
Arraignment

Court proceeding in which the defendant stands before the judge to answer criminal charges by entering a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Attorney-at-Law

One who is admitted to the State Bar of Arizona and who may represent clients in legal proceedings. Also called lawyer or counsel.

Synonyms - lawyer, counsel
Bail

Money or other form of security the judge requires to be held by the court to ensure that a criminal defendant, released while awaiting trial, will be in court for the trial. Bail is returned when the defendant returns for trial.

Bailiff

Courtroom attendant responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and supervising the jury.

Bench

The seat where a judge sits in court.

Board of Supervisors

Local governing body at the county level.

Brief

Written statement explaining facts of a case and laws that apply.

Burden of Proof

Responsibility for proving the facts in a case.

Calendar Days

Calendar days include weekends and holidays

Case

Lawsuit, suit, or action being resolved through the court system.

Case Law

Law composed of previously written decisions of appellate courts.

Chambers

Private office of a judge or justice.

Chief Justice

Presiding justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.

Citizenship

The identity of an individuals national origin.  It defines his/her rights and responsibilities to that country.

Civil Complaint

Document filed by the plaintiff in a civil case that outlines the claim of the plaintiff against the defendant.

Civil Law

Area of law that deals with disputes between individuals not involving crimes.

Search