Legal glossary for court interpreters

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Appendix

Supplementary materials added to the end of a document.

Arbitration

The hearing of a dispute by an impartial third person or persons (chosen by the parties), whose award the parties agree to accept.

Arbitrator

A private, disinterested person chosen by the parties in arbitration to hear evidence concerning the dispute and to make an award based on the evidence.

Arraignment

The hearing at which the accused is brought before the court to plead to the criminal charge in the indictment. He may plead "guilty," "not guilty," or where permitted "nolo contendere." (See preliminary hearing.)

Arrest

To take into custody by legal authority.

Assault

Threat to inflict injury with an apparent ability to do so. Also, any intentional display of force that would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.

Assignment

The transfer to another person of any property, real or personal.

Assumption of risk

A doctrine under which a person may not recover for an injury received when he has voluntarily exposed himself to a known danger.

At issue

The time in a lawsuit when the complaining party has stated their claim and the other side has responded with a denial and the matter is ready to be tried.

Attorney of record

The principal attorney in a lawsuit, who signs all formal documents relating to the suit.

Attorney-at-law

An advocate, counsel, or official agent employed in preparing, managing, and trying cases in the courts.

Attorney-in-fact

A private person (who is not necessarily a lawyer) authorized by another to act in his or her place, either for some particular purpose, as to do a specific act, or for the transaction of business in general, not of legal character. This authority is conferred by an instrument in writing, called a "letter of attorney," or more commonly "power of attorney."

Bail

Money or other security (such as a bail bond) provided to the court to temporarily allow a person's release from jail and assure their appearance in court. "Bail" and "Bond" are often used interchangeably. (Applies mainly to state courts.)

Bail bond

An obligation signed by the accused to secure his or her presence at the trial. This obligation means that the accused may lose money by not properly appearing for the trial. Often referred to simply as "bond."

Bailiff

An officer of the court responsible for keeping order and maintaining appropriate courtroom decorum and has custody of the jury.

Bankruptcy

Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may be released from or "discharged" from their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings. The person with the debts is called the debtor and the people or companies to whom the debtor owes money are called creditors.

Bankruptcy Judge

The judge who determines whether a debtor is entitled to a discharge in bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy law

The area of federal law dealing with the handling of bankrupt persons or businesses.

Bar examination

A state examination taken by prospective lawyers in order to be admitted and licensed to practice law.

Battery

A beating, or wrongful physical violence. The actual threat to use force is an "assault;" the use of it is a battery, which usually includes an assault.