AZ Court Help and Arizona courthouse accessibility information           Increase Font Size

A- A A+

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

Search for glossary terms (regular expression allowed)

Glossaries

Term Main definition
Attorney-at-Law

One who is admitted to the State Bar of Arizona and who may represent clients in legal proceedings. Also called lawyer or counsel.

Synonyms - lawyer, counsel
Bail

Money or other form of security the judge requires to be held by the court to ensure that a criminal defendant, released while awaiting trial, will be in court for the trial. Bail is returned when the defendant returns for trial.

Bailiff

Courtroom attendant responsible for keeping order in the courtroom and supervising the jury.

Bench

The seat where a judge sits in court.

Board of Supervisors

Local governing body at the county level.

Brief

Written statement explaining facts of a case and laws that apply.

Burden of Proof

Responsibility for proving the facts in a case.

Calendar Days

Calendar days include weekends and holidays

Case

Lawsuit, suit, or action being resolved through the court system.

Case Law

Law composed of previously written decisions of appellate courts.

Chambers

Private office of a judge or justice.

Chief Justice

Presiding justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.

Citizenship

The identity of an individuals national origin.  It defines his/her rights and responsibilities to that country.

Civil Complaint

Document filed by the plaintiff in a civil case that outlines the claim of the plaintiff against the defendant.

Civil Law

Area of law that deals with disputes between individuals not involving crimes.

Clerk of the Court

An appointed or elected person who is in charge of keeping records, accounts and managing regular activities for a court.

Constable

An elected official whose primary duty is to deliver and return legal notices and documents as directed by a justice court.

Contested Case

An action in which the defendant opposes the relief sought by the plaintiff.

Synonyms - Contest
Conviction

A decision by the judge or a verdict by the jury determining that a person charged with a criminal offense is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Counterclaim

A claim filed by a defendant in a civil case against the complaint of the plaintiff. For this claim, the defendant is a plaintiff.

Search