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Legal Term Glossary

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.

General Legal Terms

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Glossaries

Term Main definition
Decedent

A person who died

Synonyms - Deceased
Decide

To give a decision.

Default

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

Defendant

The person or entity sued in a civil case or accused in a criminal case.

Delinquent Act

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

Dependency

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

Deportation

The formal removal of a person from the United States when they have been found to have violated immigration laws.

Deposition

A deposition is the testimony of a witness or party to a suit, given before trial, under oath, and recorded, just as if it were given in court.

Directed Verdict

After evidence has been presented and if no issue of fact remains for the jury to determine, the judge must direct a verdict for the party entitled to prevail.

Discovery

The pretrial process by which one entity becomes aware of the evidence gathered by the other entity.

Dismissal

An agreement to terminate all or part of a lawsuit.

Divorce

The ending of a marriage by court order.

Synonyms - dissolution of marriage
Domestic Relations

Area of law dealing primarily with family issues such as divorce, child support, custody and visitation.

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