Legal language can often feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not a lawyer. But understanding basic legal terms is crucial whether you’re reading a contract, watching a courtroom drama, or facing a legal issue. This glossary provides clear and simple definitions of commonly used legal terms to help you navigate legal conversations and documents with more confidence.

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A to Z Glossary of Common Legal Terms

Acquittal
A legal judgment that officially and formally clears a defendant of criminal charges.

Affidavit
A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in court.

Allegation
A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, typically made before any proof is presented.

Appeal
A request for a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court.

Arraignment
The first court appearance of a criminal defendant, where charges are read and a plea is entered.

Bail
Money or property given to the court to ensure a defendant returns for future proceedings.

Bankruptcy
A legal process to relieve individuals or businesses of debts they cannot repay.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The standard of proof required in criminal cases—meaning there is no other logical explanation than the one presented by the prosecution.

Burden of Proof
The obligation to prove one’s claim in a legal dispute.

Civil Case
A lawsuit involving private parties over rights, obligations, or damages—not criminal behavior.

Class Action
A lawsuit filed by one person or group on behalf of a larger group with similar claims.

Complaint
A formal legal document that starts a lawsuit.

Contempt of Court
Behavior that disrespects or disobeys the court’s authority.

Contract
A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

Conviction
A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.

Counsel
A lawyer or group of lawyers representing a client.

Cross-Examination
The questioning of a witness by the opposing party in a trial.

Damages
Money awarded to a person who has suffered loss or injury.

Defendant
The person or group being sued or accused in a court of law.

Deposition
Sworn testimony taken outside of court, often used as evidence.

Discovery
The process of exchanging information and evidence between parties in a lawsuit.

Docket
A list of cases scheduled to be heard by a court.

Due Process
Legal procedures that must be followed to ensure fairness.

Embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of personal property by someone to whom it was entrusted.

Felony
A serious crime, usually punishable by more than one year in prison.

Hearing
A legal proceeding where arguments, evidence, and testimony are presented.

Habeas Corpus
A legal action demanding that a person under arrest be brought before a judge.

Indictment
A formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Injunction
A court order that requires a person to do or refrain from doing a specific act.

Judgment
The official decision of a court resolving the issues in a legal case.

Jury
A group of people selected to decide the facts in a court case.

Jurisdiction
The legal authority of a court to hear a case.

Liability
Legal responsibility for one’s actions or omissions.

Litigation
The process of taking legal action; a lawsuit.

Mediation
A method of resolving disputes outside of court, facilitated by a neutral third party.

Misdemeanor
A minor criminal offense, typically punishable by a fine or less than one year in jail.

Negligence
Failure to take proper care that results in damage or injury to another.

Oath
A formal promise to tell the truth or fulfill a duty.

Objection
A formal protest raised in court during a trial.

Parole
Conditional release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence.

Perjury
Lying under oath in a legal proceeding.

Plaintiff
The person or party who initiates a lawsuit.

Plea Bargain
An agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial.

Precedent
A prior legal decision that serves as a rule for future cases.

Probation
A court-ordered period of supervision instead of imprisonment.

Prosecution
The legal party that brings charges against a defendant in a criminal case.

Remand
To send a case back to a lower court for further action.

Settlement
An agreement between parties to resolve a dispute outside of court.

Statute
A written law passed by a legislative body.

Subpoena
A legal document ordering someone to attend court or produce evidence.

Testimony
A formal written or spoken statement given in court.

Tort
A civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm.

Verdict
The decision made by a jury or judge at the end of a trial.

Warrant
A legal document issued by a court giving police the authority to make an arrest or search a property.

Witness
Someone who gives evidence in a legal case.

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Conclusion

Whether you’re reading a news article, signing a lease, or sitting in a courtroom, legal terms appear in everyday life. With this glossary, you have a foundation to better understand legal language and communicate more effectively in legal situations.

Stay tuned for the next page: “Law & Tech” — exploring how technology is transforming the legal world.