General Legal Terms

An enforcement order of an eviction. After a specified period of time if a tenant who has been evicted stays on the property a writ of restitution allows a sheriff or constable to remove the tenant from the property and allows the landlord to change the locks on the residence.

A writ of execution is an order to the constable to serve the defendant and attempt to collect on the judgment.

Person who gives testimony regarding what he/she saw or heard.

A legal document that states what a person wants done with his or her belongings after death

A warrant is an order from the court to law enforcement to take someone or something into custody. Some warrant information is forwarded to law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona. For example, the court may order a “bench” warrant for law enforcement to arrest someone who failed to appear in court, or the court may issue a search warrant for law enforcement to seize and remove property from a person, place, or thing.

The minor being discussed in probate and guardianship cases

The questioning of prospective jurors being selected to try a case, regarding their qualifications or any bias or prejudice, which would allow their removal through the use of challenges for cause and/or peremptory challenges.

 A travel document that gives permission for an individual to leave and enter a specified country, over a certain amount of time.

Formal decision of a trial jury.

a statement of acknowledgment or admission

A form of legal representation where the case is broken up into segments and the attorney and client agree that the attorney will only provide assistance for designated parts of the case instead of full representation. This method is cheaper than full representation and places the responsibility of  handling the case back on the client.

Handing over property or money to one person, to be held for the benefit of another person.

An indictment by a grand jury.

A new trial that is held upon appeal from a non-record court, or from appeal of an arbitration award.

Formal presentation of facts to a court or jury to reach a legal decision.

Official written, word-for-word record of court proceedings.

Statements made by witnesses who have taken an oath or affirmed that they will tell the truth.

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

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.

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.