Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Exhibit A paper, document or other article presented and offered into evidence in court during a trial or hearing to prove the facts of a case. Ex parte By or for one party only. Ordinarily courts are not allowed to engage in communications with one party only (ex parte communications). Both parties must be heard. Bench warrant An order issued by the court for the arrest of a person Disposition The order of a Juvenile Court determining what is to be done with a minor already adjudged to be within the court's jurisdiction. In criminal or civil cases, the settlement of a case. Interrogatories In the discovery phase of civil litigation, these written questions are submitted by one party to another party and must be answered in writing under oath. Et seq An abbreviation for et sequentes, or et sequentia, "and the following," ordinarily used in referring to a section of statutes. Evidence Testimony, records, documents, material objects, or other things presented at a trial to prove the existence or nonexistence of a fact. Hearsay Second-hand evidence, generally consisting of a witness's testimony that he/she heard someone else say something.

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	Did You Know?
	Mediation may not be the most appropriate avenue for resolution in all cases. For example, it may not be appropriate in cases where: A definitive or authoritative resolution of the matter is required; The matter involves or may bear upon significant questions of Government policy that require additional procedures before a final resolution may be made; Maintaining established policies that apply to many people is especially important; The matter significantly affects persons or groups who are not parties to the process; A full public record of the proceeding is important; or The agency must maintain continuing jurisdiction over the matter with authority to alter the disposition of the matter in light of changed circumstances.