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ABANDONMENT

A parent’s or custodian’s act of leaving a child without adequate care, supervision, support, or parental contact for an excessive period of time. Also, the desertion of one spouse by the other with the intent to terminate the marriage relationship.

ABATEMENT OF ACTION

A suit which has been quashed and ended.

ABSTRACT

A summary of a larger work, wherein the principal ideas of the larger work are contained.

ABSTRACT OF RECORD

A short, abbreviated form of the case as found in the record.

ABSTRACT OF TITLE

A chronological summary of all official records and recorded documents affecting the title to a parcel of real property.

ACCESSORY

A person who aids or contributes in the commission of a crime.

ACCOMPLICE

One who knowingly, voluntarily, and intentionally unites with the principal offender in the commission of a crime. A partner in a crime.

ACCORD

A satisfaction agreed upon between the parties in a lawsuit which bars subsequent actions on the claim.

ACCORD AND SATISFACTION

A method of discharging a claim upon agreement by the parties to give and accept something in settlement of the claim.

ACCUSATION

A formal charge against a person to the effect that he has engaged in a punishable offense.

ACCUSED

The generic name for the defendant in a criminal case.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

1. A statement of acceptance of responsibility. 2. The short declaration at the end of a legal paper showing that the paper was duly executed and acknowledged.

ACQUIT

To legally certify the innocence of one charged with a crime. To set free, release, or discharge from an obligation, burden, or accusation. To find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial.

ACQUITTAL

In criminal law, a finding of not guilty. In contract law, a release, absolution, or discharge from an obligation, liability, or engagement.

ACTION

Case, cause, suit, or controversy disputed or contested before a court of justice.

ADJUDICATE

To determine finally.

ADJUDICATION

Giving or pronouncing a judgment or decree. Also, the judgment given.

ADMINISTRATOR

1. One who administers the estate of a person who dies without a will. 2. A court official.

ADMISSIBLE

Pertinent and proper to be considered in reaching a decision.

ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE

Evidence that can be legally and properly introduced in a civil or criminal trial.

ADMISSION

Voluntary acknowledgment of the existence of certain facts relevant to the adversary’s case.

ADMONISH

To advise or caution. For example, the court may caution or admonish counsel for wrong practices.

ADOPTION

To take into one’s family the child of another and give him or her the rights, privileges, and duties of a child and heir.

ADVERSARY SYSTEM

This system is based on the belief that truth can best be determined by giving opposing parties full opportunity to present and establish their evidence and to test by cross-examination the evidence presented by their adversaries.

AFFIANT

A person who makes and signs an affidavit.