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Family Law

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Glossaries

Term Main definition
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.

Synonyms - legal decision making, parenting time, LDM
Decree

The final decision of the court on a case brought before it.

Default

A failure of the defendant to file the right papers within the time allowed or to appear in court during a scheduled hearing.

Default Judgment

A court order that is issued when an opposing person fails to answer a complaint or appear for trial.

Defendant

The person against whom a lawsuit is started; sometimes this person is called a respondent.

Synonyms - respondent
Delinquent Act

An act committed by a juvenile that if committed by an adult would be a crime.

Denial

An answer to a complaint in which the defendant denies the allegations made by the plaintiff.

Department of Economic Security

The agency in Arizona responsible for overseeing the IV-D and public assistance programs and to coordinate their activities.

Synonyms - DES
Department of Health and Human Services

Federal agency which includes the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).

Dependency

A relationship in which one depends on another for support in whole or in part.

Deponent

Someone who gives a deposition.

Deposition

Testimony taken orally or in writing outside of a courtroom by question and answer under oath. It may be read in court and may be admitted by the judge as evidence.

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