Legal Terminology

Jurisdiction

• Authority and legal power to hear and decide cases

• Ministerial influence over the administration of the court

• Arbitrative authority over mediation of case

• None of the above

Plaintiff

• The person accused in a court case of committing a crime

• The person or party who files the case in court

• The person or party being sued

• All of the above

Judgment

• Final payment of fines and costs

• Clerk’s notation on the docket that closes the case

• Final legal decision of the court

• All of the above

Pro se, Self-Represented Litigant

• A party who is represented by an attorney

• A party who proceeds in a court case without an attorney

• A person who requires an interpreter

• None of the above

Defendant

• The person or party who is sued or accused in a court case

• The person or party who files the first pleading in a case

• The person or party who files an answer to a complaint

• Both a and c

Complaint

• In a civil action, the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based.

• In a civil action, the formal written response by a plaintiff in response to the Complaint

Pleadings

• Written statements filed with the court that describe the party’s legal or factual arguments

• Telephone messages taken by court staff from a party in a case

• Interviews by court staff with a party in a case

• All of the above

Juvenile

A minor involved in a court proceeding

• TRUE

• FALSE

Sentence

• Formal punishment for a crime

• Asserting your speedy trial rights

• Entering a guilty plea

• All of the above

Acquittal

The formal, legal declaration by a judge or jury after trial that a person has been found guilty of a crime

• TRUE

• FALSE