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 |
|---|---|
| Judge | The public officer authorized to preside over, hear and determine cases in a court of law. |
| Judge Pro Tempore | A person assigned to perform the duties of a judge on a temporary basis. |
| Judgment | The official decision by a court regarding the rights and claims of the person to a civil or criminal lawsuit. |
| Judicial Performance Review | The process, as required by the Arizona Constitution, to periodically review the performance of judges appointed by the governor. |
| Jurisdiction | The court that is in charge depending on the geographic area, type of case, or amount of money involved. |
| Jury Commissioner | Court officer who ensures that potential jurors are available to serve when needed by the courts. |
| Jury Foreman | The presiding member of the grand or petit jury, chosen by the members, who speaks or answers for the jury. |
| Justice Court | A lower, limited jurisdiction court. In justice courts, the judges are elected officials called Justices of the Peace. |
| Juvenile | Any person under 18 years of age. |