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 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |