Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

No-fault divorce A kind of divorce in which the parties need not cast blame on one another for the failure of the marriage. Dismissal without prejudice A dismissal which permits the plaintiff to sue again on the same cause of action or the state to proceed again. Dismissal with prejudice bars the right to subsequently bring an action on the same cause Moral turpitude Conduct contrary to honesty or good morals. Negligence Failure to exercise the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in the same circumstances. Plaintiff A person who files a lawsuit. Concurrent sentence Sentence under which two or more prison or jail terms are served simultaneously, and the prisoner is entitled to discharge when the longest term specified expires (i.e., sentences of 1 to 15 years and 0 to 5 years means a maximum sentence of 15 years). Differs from a consecutive sentence, which is when the sentences are served back-to-back. (A 1 to 15 and 0 to 5 consecutive sentence could mean up to 20 years). Battery Actual physical violence, whether serious or minor, inflicted on a person. (A mere threat is called assault, whereas the completed act is called battery). Codicil A supplement or an addition to a will. It may explain, modify, and add to, subtract from, qualify, alter, restrain or revoke provisions in the existing will.

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	Did You Know?
	Mediation is a process that involves a mediator Neutral third party who helps the disputing parties achieve a resolution that satisfies both of them. The mediator's primary function is to create constructive communication between parties and provide a forum where disputants can create a mutually satisfactory agreement. Mediators do not impose decisions; instead, they help people craft solutions that will work for them.