Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Admission statement tending to establish the guilt or liability of the person making the statement. Protective supervision In child abuse and neglect cases, the emergency removal of child from his home when the child would be in imminent danger if allowed to remain with the parent(s) or custodian(s). Removal, order of To send back; For example, an appellate court may remand a case to a lower court for retrial or for some change in disposition. Misdemeanor A minor offense, lower than a felony, which is punishable by a county jail term of up to one year and/or a fine, but not prison. Misdemeanors are classified into three categories: Class A, B, and C. Information The first paper filed in criminal prosecution, which states the crime of which the defendant is accused. Opinion evidence Witnesses are normally required to confine their testimony to statements of fact and are not allowed to give their opinions in court. However, if a witness is qualified as an expert in a particular field, he or she may be allowed to state an opinion as an expert based on certain facts. Libel See defamation Decree A decision or order of the court. A final decree is one, which fully and finally disposes of the litigation. An interlocutory decree is a preliminary decree, which is not final.

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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.