In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Family Law
Glossaries
| Term | Main definition |
|---|---|
| Conciliation Court | A branch of the Superior Court to which a spouse may apply in an effort to preserve a marriage or from whom a parent may request assistance in settling disputes regarding children. Services provided may include: parent education classes, counseling, mediation, parenting conferences, evaluations, and parenting coordination. |
| Conclusions of Law | The decision made by the judge by applying the law to the facts of the case. |
| Constable | An elected official whose primary duty is to deliver and return legal notices and documents as directed by a Justice of the Peace. |
| Contempt | A willful disregard or disobedience of the order of the court. |
| Contested Case | An action in which the defendant opposes the relief sought by the plaintiff. |
| Continuance | Postponement (delay) of a court hearing. |
| Contract | An agreement that may be enforceable through a court action. |
| Conviction | A decision by the judge or a verdict by the jury determining that a person charged with a criminal offense is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| Counsel | See Lawyer or Attorney at Law in this Glossary. |
| Counterclaim | A claim asserted by a defendant against the plaintiff. |
| County Attorney | Attorney elected in each county to prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the public and to represent the county in civil matters. |
| Court Administrator | Person who assists the presiding judge in managing the court. |
| Court Commissioner | Person with authority to do the job of a judge in certain types of cases. |
| Court of Record | Courts in which a record is made of all proceedings. Justice of the Peace and Municipal Courts are not courts of record, but they sometimes do keep records of court proceedings. |
| Court Reporter | A person who records courtroom proceedings in order to be able to produce a transcript of the proceeding. |
| Courtroom Clerk | Person in charge of making and keeping the docket of court proceedings and other court records. |
| Crime | An act forbidden by law and punishable by fine, probation, imprisonment or death. |
| Custody | See Parental Rights and Responsibilities in this Glossary. Now known as legal decision making and parenting time. |