TERMINOLOGIES USED IN THE COURT ROOM

                      

1.      MURDER: Deliberately taking somebody’s life.

2.      MAN SLAUGHTER: Taking somebody’s life unintentionally or not deliberate.

3.      RAPE: Having sexual intercourse with somebody without the prior concern of the person.

4.      CONJUGAL RIGHTS: This is where the man has his rights and the woman also has hers. If the woman does not give her consent when it comes to sex and the man forces her it becomes rape.

5.      ASSAULT: There are so many types of assault. Verbal assault is when somebody rains insult on another without any provocation.

6.      BATTERY: Similar to assault but means, hitting somebody and beating the person.

7.      DEFACTO: Someone who performs the role of another person in the absence of that person and does not have the backing of the law.

8.      EXPARTE: When an individual makes an appeal before a court in the absence of the other party.

9.      MISDEMEANOUR: It refers to a less serious crime.

10.  FELONY: This refers to a serious crime committed by somebody.

11.  DEFILEMENT: Illegally having sexual intercourse with a minor.

12.  ACQUITTAL: This means the person is not guilty of the charges leveled against him or her due to lack of evidence. If there is evidence in the future, the person can be arrested and trialed in the court of the land.

13.  MENS REA: An intent and purpose with which a person commits a crime.

14.  INDICTMENT: The written accusation with which a person is charged.

15.  INJUCTION:  Making an appeal to the court and the court telling somebody to stop doing something. The can sometimes ask the person to continue doing something.

16.  CERCIORARI: A tool used by the Supreme Court to quash a case.

17.  PROSECUTION WITNESS:  A witness brought into a trail by the prosecutor to help establish the guilt of the accused.

18.  WRIT OF SERMON: A document issued by the court to bring a person before it for hearing.

19.  LIBEL: This when a publication about somebody destroys the person’s reputation.

20.  MANDAMUS: When a public official refuses to take action, you can go to court so that the person will be force to do the work especially when the person is under contract.

21.  ACTUS REUS: An act that comprises the physical component of a crime.

22.  SOVERIEGN: A higher power above and beyond which no further legal power exists.

23.  PROHIBITION: When somebody is stopped from doing an act.

24.  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE: When a person is held by the court to perform an obligation under contract.

25.  PLAINTIFF: The person who brings the case to the court.

26.  GUILTY BUT INSANE: The person is guilty of the charges leveled against him but is not in the right state of mind.

27.  ALTENATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR): Using mediation, negotiation and another means to resolve dispute other than the court.

28.  SELF COGNISANCE BAY: Signing a bill or surety in a criminal case.

29.  AFFIDAVIT: Swearing before the court using a Bible or a Quran. Also means making accessing on oath sealed by commissioner of oath or notary public.

30.  STATEMENT OF CLAIM: Putting your concern in writing to allege another.