Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Not guilty by reason of insanity The jury or the judge must determine that the defendant, because of mental disease or defect, could not form the intent required to commit the offense. Negligence Failure to exercise the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in the same circumstances. Battery Actual physical violence, whether serious or minor, inflicted on a person. (A mere threat is called assault, whereas the completed act is called battery). Interstate compact A contract between member states to supervise juveniles on probation or parole, and to return delinquent juveniles who have escaped or nondelinquent juveniles who have run away, from one state to another Concurrent jurisdiction The jurisdiction of two or more courts, each authorized to deal with the same subject matter. Hearsay Second-hand evidence, generally consisting of a witness's testimony that he/she heard someone else say something. Cause of action A claim in law in fact sufficient to justify a legal right to sue Courts of record Courts whose proceedings are permanently recorded, and which have the power to fine or imprison for contempt. In Utah, they include the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, district courts and juvenile courts. Courts not of record are those of lesser authority whose proceedings are not permanently recorded, i.e., the Justice Courts

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	Did You Know?
	Mediation is a process that involves a mediator Neutral third party who helps the disputing parties achieve a resolution that satisfies both of them. The mediator's primary function is to create constructive communication between parties and provide a forum where disputants can create a mutually satisfactory agreement. Mediators do not impose decisions; instead, they help people craft solutions that will work for them.