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.
Legal Term Glossary
General Legal Terms
Glossaries
| Term | Main definition |
|---|---|
| Decedent | A person who died |
| 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. |
| Domestic Relations | Area of law dealing primarily with family issues such as divorce, child support, custody and visitation. |