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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
Acquit

To find a criminal defendant not guilty.

Action

A dispute taken to court to be settled. Same as case, suit and lawsuit when used in the courtroom context.

Synonyms - case, suit, lawsuit
Adjudge

To decide or settle

Admissible

Evidence that is properly introduced in a trial.

Adoption

When a person becomes the legal child of another person and is treated by the law as the biological child of the adoptor.

Adversary System

Method used in the courts of the United States to settle legal disputes. Both individuals in the case tell their story to the judge and/or jury for resolution.

Affidavit

A written statement of fact, signed and sworn to in front of a notary or a person who has the right to administer an oath.

Affirm

To uphold a decision made by a lower court.

Allegations

Statements against one person which the other person is prepared to prove.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The process of settling a legal dispute without a formal trial.

Synonyms - ADR
Answer

Written response in a civil case. In it, the defendant admits or denies the allegations of the complaint made by the plaintiff and states any defenses that apply.

Antenuptial

An agreement made before marriage that indicates how property will be divided should the couple divorce or a person die.

Synonyms - Premarital Agreement
Appeal

A request made to a higher court to reverse or modify a decision made by a lower court.

Appellant

The person/party appealing the judgment or decision of a court.

Appellate Court

A court having jurisdiction (authority) to hear appeals.

Appellee

The person against whom the appeal is taken.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a dispute resolution system.  In arbitration the disputing individuals each present their side of an issue to an arbitrator who will act like a judge and decide the matter. There are two types of arbitration: binding voluntary arbitration and mandatory non-binding arbitration.

Binding Voluntary Arbitration is a process where the disputing individuals agree to settle their matter privately outside of the public court system using an arbitrator, a professional decision maker that is chosen by one or both of the disputing parties, to decide the dispute. Arbitration does not require the use of court rules or procedures and is viewed as a simplified private court proceeding. Each side will present their case to the arbitrator who will then decide the issue. Once the matter is decided the case is over and in most cases the court will enforce the arbitrators decision.

Mandatory Non-binding Arbitration is a process used by the court system where individuals who meet certain qualifications will have their case decided by a court appointed arbitrator instead of a judge. Decisions made in this type of arbitration are non-binding meaning that either individual may ask for a new trial in trial court.

Arbitrator

An attorney selected to hear a case and settle the legal dispute without a formal trial.

Arizona Revised Statutes

Arizona Revised Statutes: Books containing the laws that the Arizona Legislature has enacted.

Synonyms - A.R.S., ARS
Arraignment

Court proceeding in which the defendant stands before the judge to answer criminal charges by entering a plea of guilty or not guilty.

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