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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
Sentence

Punishment set by the court within the range of punishments authorized by statute.

Settlement

An agreement that provides satisfaction to one or both individuals in a civil lawsuit in return for dismissal of the case.

Small Claims Court

Special division court at each justice court to legally resolve claims that do not exceed $3,500. The proceedings are less formal than in other types of courts and individuals usually represent themselves.

Statute

Law enacted by the Legislature and published as the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.).

Subpoena

An order to compel someone to come to a court at a certain date and time; there are penalties if that person does not come to court.  Subpoena duces tecum is the technical name for a subpoena for production of evidence.

Synonyms - Subpoena duces tecum
Summons

A document given to a sheriff or other officer that tells the person named in the summons that a lawsuit has been started against them in court, and what day and time they have to show up at court.

Supersedeas Bond

A bond or amount of money, usually the amount of the judgment, that stays with the court while an appeal is in process.

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