Tag: Federal Court System

  • Probation

    Probation in the United States A criminal sentence that allows a person to return to the community under supervised release. Probation is an alternative to imprisonment and is applied to almost two-thirds of sentenced offenders in the United States. Control is maintained over the offender by […]

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

    Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the United States Definition of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Settlement of civil disputes by means other than trial. The move to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) was prompted by a number of factors, but largely the time, expense, and […]

  • Verdict

    Verdict in the United States A finding by a jury on a fact question formally submitted to it for deliberation. The verdict is reported to the court and announced. Either party is entitled to request that the jury be polled. This requires that each juror disclose in open court his or her vote. […]

  • Verdict

    Verdict in the United States A finding by a jury on a fact question formally submitted to it for deliberation. The verdict is reported to the court and announced. Either party is entitled to request that the jury be polled. This requires that each juror disclose in open court his or her vote. […]

  • Arbitration

    Arbitration in the United States History The common law and statute law of the United States as to arbitration bear a general resemblance to the law of England. Voluntary submissions All controversies of a civil nature, and any question of personal injury on which a suit for damages will […]

  • Arbitration

    Arbitration in the United States History The common law and statute law of the United States as to arbitration bear a general resemblance to the law of England. Voluntary submissions All controversies of a civil nature, and any question of personal injury on which a suit for damages will […]

  • Grand Jury

    Grand Jury in the United States An investigative body that makes accusations rather than determines guilt. The grand jury evaluates information generated on its own or brought to it by a prosecutor. If the grand jury determines that probable cause exists, it returns an indictment against an […]

  • Grand Jury

    Grand Jury in the United States An investigative body that makes accusations rather than determines guilt. The grand jury evaluates information generated on its own or brought to it by a prosecutor. If the grand jury determines that probable cause exists, it returns an indictment against an […]

  • Discovery

    Discovery in the United States A procedure used before civil trials that allows one party to obtain information about a case from the opposing party. Discovery assists litigants in civil suits prepare for trial. Evidence is basically gathered in three ways during discovery. The first is by […]

  • Discovery

    Discovery in the United States A procedure used before civil trials that allows one party to obtain information about a case from the opposing party. Discovery assists litigants in civil suits prepare for trial. Evidence is basically gathered in three ways during discovery. The first is by […]

  • Appeal

    Appeal in the United States A request to an appellate or superior court to review a final judgment made in a lower court. Appellate jurisdiction is the power conferred upon appeals courts to conduct such a review. It empowers the court to set aside or modify the lower court decision. An […]

  • Tort

    Tort in the United States Introduction A private or civil injury to a person or property. An injured party may bring suit, but tort actions do not represent a major portion of civil case filings. Rather, such claims are typically resolved prior to the filing of a lawsuit. The potential for […]

  • Tort

    Tort in the United States Introduction A private or civil injury to a person or property. An injured party may bring suit, but tort actions do not represent a major portion of civil case filings. Rather, such claims are typically resolved prior to the filing of a lawsuit. The potential for […]

  • Bail

    Bail in United States Bail Definition (Fr. bailler, to deliver). Those persons who become sureties for the appearance of the defendant in court. The delivery of the defendant to persons who, in the manner prescribed by law, become security for his appearance in court. The word is used both as […]

  • Bail

    Bail in United States Bail Definition (Fr. bailler, to deliver). Those persons who become sureties for the appearance of the defendant in court. The delivery of the defendant to persons who, in the manner prescribed by law, become security for his appearance in court. The word is used both as […]