To Request to Have Your Court Case Tried or Heard Again

Detect: This list of common legal words was compiled by the Connecticut Judicial Branch solely as a public service. The Judicial Co-operative does not warrant the accuracy of the information contained in this list nor is it responsible for whatever errors or omissions and assumes no liability for its employ. This information is by necessity general in nature and is not intended as legal advice, but rather data which may be helpful in understanding how courts in Connecticut operate.

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AKA: "Also known as". Used to list aliases or some other proper name, or some other spelling of a name used by a person.

Accelerated Rehabilitation: Also called AR. A program that gives persons charged with a crime or motor vehicle violation for the first time a second risk. The person is placed on probation for upward to two years. If probation is completed satisfactorily, the charges are dismissed.

Acknowledgment: The signature of a clerk or attorney certifying that the person signing the document has signed by his or her gratuitous act and for the purposes set forth therein.

Action: Also called a case or lawsuit. A ceremonious judicial proceeding where i political party sues some other for a wrong done, or to protect a correct or to prevent a wrong.

Adjournment: Postponement of a court session until another time or place.

Adjudication: A conclusion or sentence imposed by a judge.

Adjudicatory Hearing: Juvenile court proceeding to determine whether the allegations made in a petition are true and whether the child/youth should exist field of study to orders of the courtroom.

Adult Court Transfer: The transfer of juveniles who are at to the lowest degree fourteen years one-time to regular criminal dockets in Geographical Surface area or Judicial District courts. Also involves the transfer from a Juvenile Detention Heart to the State Department of Correction.

Developed Probation: A legal condition, applied to people 16 years of age and older, who have been convicted of a crime and placed under the supervision of a probation officer for a flow of fourth dimension set up by the court.

Affirmation: Declaring something to exist true under the penalty of perjury by a person who volition not take an oath for religious or other reasons.

Affirmation: A written statement fabricated nether adjuration, swearing to the truth of the contests of a document.

Alcohol Education Programme: A pre-trial plan for first time offenders charged with driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Alford Doctrine: A plea in a criminal case in which the defendant does not acknowledge guilt, merely agrees that the state has enough evidence confronting him or her to get a conviction. Allows the defendant to enter into a plea deal with the state. If the judge accepts the Alford Plea, a guilty finding is made on the record.

Alimony: Money a court requires one spouse to pay the other spouse for support before and/or afterward the divorce is granted. If you lot do not ask for alimony at the final hearing, you lot tin never get information technology in the future.

Allegation: Saying that something is true. The exclamation, declaration or argument of a party in a example, made in a pleading.

Alternating Juror: A juror selected every bit a substitute in case another juror must exit the jury console.

Alternative Detention Program: Programs operated by service providers under the Office of Culling Sanctions used to detain juveniles instead of in a Juvenile Detention Center.

Culling Dispute Resolution: As well called ADR. Any method used to resolve disputes other than traditional trial proceedings. For example, arbitration. ADR programs speed upward the disposition of ceremonious cases.

Alternative Incarceration Center: Also called AIC. A customs based programme that provides monitoring, supervision and services to people who would otherwise be incarcerated.

Culling Sanctions : Criminal punishment that is less restrictive than incarceration.

Amicus Curiae brief: A Latin term meaning "friend of the court." An Amicus Curiae cursory is filed by someone who is not a party to a case just has an interest in its outcome. A person who wants to file an amicus curiae brief commonly has to get the courtroom's permission to do and then.

Annulment : A court order declaring that a matrimony is invalid.

Reply : A courtroom document, or pleading, in a civil instance, by which the defendant responds to the plaintiff's complaint.

Appeal : Asking a higher courtroom to review the decision or sentence of a trial courtroom because the lower court made an fault.

Appeal Bond: Money paid to the court while taking an entreatment to embrace costs and damages to the other party, if the appeal is not successful.

Appearance : The official court form filed with the court clerk which tells the courtroom that you are representing yourself in a lawsuit or criminal instance or that an attorney is representing you. All court notices and calendars will be mailed to the address listed on the form. When a defendant in a civil case files an advent, the person is submitting to the courtroom's jurisdiction.

Appellant: The party appealing a determination or judgment to a higher court.

Appellee: The party against whom an entreatment is taken.

Arbitration: Submitting a example or dispute to designated parties for a decision, instead of using a estimate.

Arraignment : The commencement courtroom appearance of a person defendant of a crime. The person is advised of his or her rights by a approximate and may respond to the criminal charges by entering a plea. Usually happens the forenoon later a person is arrested.

Arrest: When a person is taken into custody by a police officer and charged with a offense.

Arrearages: Money for alimony and/or child back up, which is overdue and unpaid.

Assignment List : A printed list of cases to be presented to the courtroom for hearing.

Assistant Attorney Full general: An chaser who represents a state bureau in ceremonious cases.

Attachment: A lien on property or avails to agree it to pay or satisfy any last judgment.

Attorney of Record: Chaser whose name appears in the permanent records or files of a case.

Automatic Orders : Courtroom orders that take outcome when a divorce or custody example is started.

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Bond : Also called Bail. Money or property given to the court for the temporary release of a defendant, to ensure that the defendant volition return to court.

Bond Bondsperson: A person who lends money to a accused to pay for bail.

Bail Commissioner : A state-appointed person who may set the amount of bond for persons detained at a constabulary station prior to arraignment in court, and who recommends to the court the amount of bond that should be gear up for the defendant on each criminal case.

Bar: Refers to attorneys as a group.

Best Interest of the Child: The standard a approximate uses to determine custody and visitation problems.

Demote Warrant: Court papers issued by the judge, "from the bench," for the arrest of a person.

Bail : Also chosen bail. Coin or property given to the court for the temporary release of a defendant, to ensure that the defendant volition return to court. At that place are two kinds of bonds:
Not-financial bonds:
     a) Not-surety bond where the accused'south signature solitary guarantees the amount of bond and the accused is not required to post any belongings or retain the services of a professional bond bondsperson as collateral.
    b) Promise to appear.
Surety bail: The courtroom requires greenbacks, existent estate or a professional person bail bondpersons signature every bit collateral before releasing the defendant back into the customs. (The court may allow the accused to post ten percent of the bond in cash to secure his or her release.)

Bail Forfeiture (calling the Bond): If the defendant fails to announced in court as scheduled, the judge may lodge the bond forfeited (paid to the state) and the defendant rearrested.

Bond Review: A hearing for a judge to make up one's mind if the defendant's bond amount needs to exist inverse.

Bondsman: A surety; one who has put up cash or property as collateral earlier a defendant may exist released.

Brief: A written certificate prepared by a lawyer or party on each side of a dispute and filed with the court in support of their arguments.

Broken Downwards Irretrievably: The almost common reason for granting a divorce. It means in that location is no hope of the husband and wife getting back together again. Also known every bit "no-fault" divorce.

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Calendar: A list of court cases scheduled for a specific engagement and time; the civil and family court docket.

Calendar Call: The calling of cases scheduled for the day, usually done at the outset of each court day.

Capias Mittimus: A ceremonious arrest warrant used to become a person physically into courtroom to respond to a specific example or merits.

Capital Felony: A criminal offense in which the death penalty may be imposed. Constructive April 25, 2012, this term was replaced in the General Statutes with murder with special circumstances. (C.G.S. 53a-54b).

Case: A lawsuit or action in a courtroom.

Case Conference: A meeting scheduled past the court to review the case.

Case File: The court file containing papers submitted in a case.

Case Flow Coordinator: A person who keeps track of your case and supervises the scheduling of hearings and trials.

Cardinal Transportation Unit: Persons in the Sectionalization of Juvenile Detention Services who provide safe and secure transportation services for juveniles detained at Juvenile Detention Centers, Alternative Detention Program and Girls' Detention Plan.

Certify: To testify in writing; to make known or constitute as a fact.

CGS: Abbreviation for Connecticut Full general Statutes

Challenge: Rejecting a potential juror.

Charge: Formal accusation of a crime.

Charge to Jury: In trial practise, an accost delivered by the court to the jury at the close of the case instructing the jury as to what principles of law they are to apply in reaching a decision. Civil | Criminal

Chattels: All property except real belongings; personal property. For example: jewelry, clothing, furniture, and appliances.

Kid: Any person nether the historic period of sixteen (16) years of age.

Child Back up : Money paid by a parent to help come across the financial needs of a kid.

The " Scrap Smith Accuse " is an instruction to deadlocked jurors in civil and criminal cases, urging those jurors who disagree with the majority vote to reexamine the majority views in an effort to reach a unanimous verdict.

CIP: Children in Placement- a voluntary program in Juvenile Court, which monitors neglect, cases.

Civil Action: A lawsuit other than a criminal case usually filed in a Judicial Commune courthouse. Includes family actions (divorces, child support, etc) and small claims cases, although these are both separately designated.

Claim: In civil cases, the statement of relief desired.

Classification and Programme Officer: Likewise chosen CPO. A person who provides classification, programme, counseling and recreational services to detained juveniles. May nourish sure courtroom hearings in Juvenile Matters and provide reports.

Common Law: Laws that develop through case decisions past judges. Not enacted by legislative bodies.

Community Service: Piece of work that bedevilled defendants are required to perform in order to repay the community for the harm acquired to the customs by the crime.

Community Services Coordinator: The person who refers a defendant to community service work and supervises the defendant's completion of that piece of work.

Community Service Labor Program : Also called CSLP. A customs service program for persons charged with drug offenses. Upon successful completion of the community service sentence, the criminal case is dismissed.

Complaint: A legal certificate that tells the courtroom what you want, and is served with a summons on the defendant to begin the case.

Complex Litigation: A specialized docket designed for complex civil cases, where one guess hears the case from beginning to terminate. Criteria includes: multiple parties, large amounts of money, lengthy trial or complex legal issues.

Conditional Discharge: A disposition, in criminal cases, where the defendant must satisfy certain court-ordered conditions instead of a prison term.

Antipathy of Courtroom: A finding that someone disobeyed a court order. Tin also  mean disrupting court, for case, by being loud or disrespectful in courtroom.

Continuance: The banishment or postponement of a court instance to some other solar day.

Continuance Engagement: Engagement on which the case will side by side be heard in court.

Contract: A legally enforceable agreement between 2 or more than persons or parties.

Conviction: To be institute guilty of committing a criminal offense.

Costs: Expenses in prosecuting or defending a instance in courtroom. Usually does not include attorney'due south fees.

Count: The different parts of a complaint, which could each be a ground or grounds for the lawsuit.

Counter Claim : A merits by the defendant in a civil activity that the defendant is entitled to amercement or other relief from the plaintiff.

Courtroom-Appointed Chaser: An attorney who is asked past the court (judge) to either stand for a party to the instance, or to serve in some other chapters that the case requires.

Court Clerk: The person who maintains the official court record of your case. The court clerks' office receives all courtroom papers and assigns hearing dates.

Courtroom Interpreter : The person who translates court hearings from English language to another linguistic communication. Provided at country expense in all criminal cases and in cases enforcing child support orders, if requested. No interpreter is bachelor for divorce or any other ceremonious case.

Courtroom Monitor: The person who prepares a written record of the courtroom hearing for a fee, if requested, from audiotapes made during the hearing.

Court Reporter: The person who records everything said during the court hearing on a stenograph machine and prepares a written record for a fee, if requested.

Court Services Officer: A person who assists the approximate and oversees cases every bit they get through the court.

Court Trial: Trial past a judge, rather than past a jury.

Crime Victim Bounty Program: Awards coin to offense victims and their families for medical, mental health, dental, funeral expenses, lost wages and loss of support.

Cross-Examination: Questioning by a political party or the attorney of an adverse party or a witness.

Custody : A courtroom order deciding where a child will live and how decisions about the child will be fabricated. Parents may ask for whatever custody arrangement that they believe is in the best interest of their child.

Custody Affidavit: A sworn argument containing facts near a child involved in a case, including full name of the kid, date of birth, electric current and past residences and other information as may exist required by law.

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Damages: Money a political party receives every bit compensation for a legal wrong.

Day Incarceration Centre: Also called DIC. A customs based program that provides monitoring, supervision and services to people who would otherwise exist incarcerated. Day Incarceration Eye clients are supervised during the daytime hours, vii days per week.

Declaration: An unsworn statement of facts made by a party to the transaction, or by one who has an involvement in the facts recounted.

Default : To fail to respond or answer to the plaintiff's claims by filing the required court document; commonly an Advent or an Respond.

Accused: In civil cases, the person who is given court papers, too chosen a respondent. In criminal cases, the person who is arrested and charged with a crime.

Delinquent: In civil or family cases, failing to pay an amount of coin when due: In juvenile cases, a child who violated a law, local ordinance, or an order of the Superior Courtroom.

Degradation: Testimony of a witness taken, under oath, in response to another political party's questions. Testimony given outside the courtroom, unremarkably in a lawyer's function. A word for word account (transcript) is made of the testimony.

Detention Hearing or Detention Release Hearing: A hearing on the showtime business twenty-four hours subsequently a juvenile is admitted to juvenile detention concerning the legality and appropriateness of continued detention of the juvenile. The detention determination must exist reviewed at least every fifteen days.

Discovery: A formal asking past 1 party in a lawsuit to disclose information or facts known by other parties or witnesses.

Dismissal: A approximate's decision to end the case.

Dismissal Without Prejudice: A judges decision to cease the case which permits the complainant or prosecutor to renew the case later. In contrast, dismissal "with prejudice" prevents the complainant or prosecutor to bring or maintain the aforementioned claim or activeness again.

Dispose: Catastrophe a legal example or a judicial proceeding.

Disposition: The manner in which a example is settled or resolved.

Dissolution : The legal end of a marriage, also chosen a divorce.

Diversionary Programs : Community based programs that are used to go on eligible, convicted criminal offenders out of prison.

Docket: A list of cases scheduled to be heard in courtroom on a specific day or calendar week.

Docket Number: A unique number the courtroom clerk assigns to a case. Information technology must be used on all future papers filed in the court case. Each docket number starts with 2 messages that tell the type of instance. CI = criminal infraction; CR = criminal case; CV = civil case; FA = family unit example; MI = motor vehicle infraction; MV= motor vehicle case; SC = small claims.

Domicile: The permanent dwelling house of a person. A person may have several residences, but simply one domicile.

Drug Court: A Special Session of the Superior Court that is responsible for hearing cases involving charges of drug offenses.

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Education Program: A program for family violence offenders that, if granted and successfully completed, results in dismissal of criminal charges (C.G.S. §46b-38c).

Ejectment: A legal instance filed against someone who is a holdover tenant (someone who remains later on the expiration of a lease).

Electronic Monitoring: An electronic system that provides the Probation Officer or Bail Commissioner a study nigh whether the offender has left home during the time when the offender was required to remain at his or her abode.

Emancipated Minor: A person nether the legal majority age of 18 who is granted most rights and legal privileges of an adult (C.M.South.§46b-150, et seq.).

Emancipation: The release of a youth from the legal authorisation and control of the youth's parents and the corresponding release of the youth'due south parents from their obligations to the youth.

Eminent Domain: The legal process by which private belongings is taken for public use without the consent of the possessor.

Eviction: Legally forcing a tenant out of rented holding. (Housing Publications)

Evidence : Testimony, documents or objects presented at a trial to prove a fact.

Ex Parte: Done for, or at the request of, one side in a instance merely, without prior notice to the other side.

Execution Suspended: A prison sentence that is suspended in whole or in part provided certain weather of probation or conditional discharge are met by the defendant.

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Failure to Appear: In a ceremonious case, declining to file an Appearance form. In a criminal case, failing to come to court for a scheduled hearing.

Family unit Relations Advisor: A person who mediates disagreements and negotiates agreements in custody, visitation and divorce cases. At the request of the judge, a family relations counselor may evaluate a family situation by interviewing each parent and the children in the family. The family relations counselor then writes a report for the guess, making recommendations about custody and visitation. Works in the Family unit Services Office.

Family unit Support Magistrate : A person who decides cases involving child support and paternity. Tin can also enforce court orders involving paternity, child support and alimony.

Family Violence Education Program : A programme for family violence offenders that if successfully completed, results in the dismissal of criminal charges.

Family Violence Victim Abet: A person who works with domestic violence victims to determine their needs and inform them of their rights and resource available to them.

Family unit With Service Needs: Besides called FWSN. A family unit that includes a child, who (a) runs away without just cause, (b) is beyond the control of his/her parents/guardian, (c) has engaged in indecent or immoral conduct, and/or (d) is a truant or continuously defiant of school rules and regulations.

Felony: Any criminal offense for which a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of more than of one year.

Felony Murder: A murder committed while the person is also committing a felony.
Filing: Giving the court clerk legal papers which go part of the instance file.

Financial Affirmation: Short | Long - A sworn statement of income, expenses, holding (chosen assets) and debts (called liabilities).

Finding: The court's or jury'southward decision on issues of fact.

Foreclosure: A court order ending the legal ownership of belongings.

Foreman : An elected fellow member of a jury who delivers the verdict to the courtroom.

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Garnishment: A court club to collect money or holding. For case, a garnishment may be issued to an employer to pay part of an employee's wages to someone else to pay a debt or judgment.

GA - Geographical Area: Geographical Area. The courtroom location where motor vehicle and about criminal cases are heard. There are 22 Geographical Areas in Connecticut.

Grievance: A complaint filed confronting an chaser or judge, claiming an ethics violation.

Guardian : A person who has the power and duty to take care of another person and/or to manage the belongings and rights of another person who is considered incapable of taking care of his or her personal affairs.

Guardian Advertising Litem: A person, normally a parent, appointed by the courtroom to represent a child or unborn person in a court case. If a family fellow member is not bachelor, a judge may appoint an attorney.

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Habeas Corpus: A court order used to bring a person physically before a courtroom in order to exam the legality of the person's detention. Unremarkably, it is directed to the official or person detaining another, commanding him to bring the person to court for the judge to determine if that person has been denied liberty without due process of law.

Hearsay: Testimony given by a witness who tells 2nd or 3rd manus information.

Honor Court: A program of outpatient group therapy for alcohol abusers.

Housing Specialist: A person who provides pretrial mediation of landlord/tenant cases to reach settlement. Also provides data about community resources to litigants.

Hung Jury: A jury whose members cannot reconcile their differences of opinion and thus cannot reach a verdict.

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Incarceration: Solitude to a state correctional constitute or prison.

Income Withholding Club: A court guild to deduct child support or alimony payments from someone'southward wages. All child support courtroom orders must include an income withholding order unless both parents ask the judge non to.

Indigent: Someone without enough money to either back up himself or herself or his or her family. Someone who cannot beget to pay certain fees required by the court. (Civil, Family, Housing | Juvenile)

Information (the) : In a criminal case, the formal courtroom document in the clerk's file, which contains the charges, dates of offenses, bail condition, constancy dates and disposition.

Infraction: A case where the fine may be paid past mail and usually the person does not have to announced or come to court. For example, a speeding ticket. (Infractions Schedule)

Injunction: A courtroom order to stop doing or to outset doing a specific act.

Interpreter: The person who correctly translates court hearings from a 2d linguistic communication to English language.  An interpreter is provided at no cost to the person who needs the interpreter in all cases where the person'southward life, freedom, children or housing are at risk of being taken abroad.  Interpreters are also provided for criminal and kid support cases.

Interrogatory: Formal, written questions used to get data from another party in a lawsuit.

Investigatory Grand Jury: A gauge, constitutional state referee or whatsoever three judges of the Superior Court, appointed by the Main Courtroom Ambassador to deport an investigation into the commission of a crime or crimes.

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Judge: A person who hears and decides cases for the courts. Appointed by the governor for a term of eight years and confirmed by the General Associates.

Judgment: A court decision. As well called a decree or an order.

Judgment File: A permanent court record of the courtroom's final disposition of the case.
JD - Judicial District: Connecticut has 13 judicial districts (JD) in which ceremonious, criminal, family and juvenile matters are heard. Civil jury, civil not-jury, administrative appeals and family matters generally are heard in a JD courthouse.

Juris Number: An identification number assigned to each chaser in Connecticut.

Jurisdiction: Power and authority of a court to hear and make a judgment in a case.

Juror: Member of a jury.

Jury Charge: The judge'south formal instructions on the law to the jury earlier it begins deliberations.

Jury Instructions: Directions given by the estimate to the jury concerning the law of the instance. (Civil | Criminal)

Juvenile Court: Also called Superior Court for Juvenile Matters. A special sectionalization of the Superior Courtroom designated to hear all cases apropos uncared for, dependent children and youth and delinquents. All juvenile courtroom proceedings and case records are confidential and are not public information.

Juvenile Runaway: A person under the age of sixteen who commits a criminal act.

Juvenile Detention: State facility to provide for the temporary intendance of a child who alleged to be runaway and who requires a physically restricted, secure surround.

Juvenile Detention Middle: A secure facility for juveniles operated by the Division of Juvenile Detention Services of the Connecticut Judicial Branch, open 24 hours a day, vii days a week.

Juvenile Detention Officer: Too chosen JDO. A person who works within a Juvenile Detention Center.

Juvenile Matters: All cases concerning uncared for, neglected or dependent children and youth, termination of parental rights of children committed to a state agency, matters concerning families with service needs, contested matters involving termination of parental rights or removal of guardian transferred from the Probate Court and the emancipation of minors. It does not include guardianship or adoption cases, or matters affecting property rights of any child or youth over which the Probate Court has jurisdiction. The Probate Court hears appeals concerning adoption, termination of parental rights and removal of a parent every bit guardian are included. Juvenile matters in the criminal session include all cases concerning delinquent children in the country.

Juvenile Probation : Placement of an adjudicated delinquent under the supervision of a juvenile probation officer.

Juvenile Transportation Officer: Also called JTO. A person who provides safe transportation services for juveniles in custody.

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Police force Librarian: Court staff who maintain legal reference and research materials for public use.

Legal Aid or Legal Services : Complimentary legal representatives in civil cases for income eligible persons. Phone call 1-800-453-3320 to use.

Legal Custody: Relationship with a child created by court gild which gives a person legal responsibility for the concrete possession of a minor and the duty to protect, treat and discipline the child.

Legal Separation: A courtroom order describing the conditions under which two married people will live separately.

Lien: A accuse, hold, or claim upon property of another as security for a debt.

Lis Pendens: A pending lawsuit. Jurisdiction or control that courts have over property in a case waiting for final disposition. A find of lis pendens is filed on the land records.

Litigant: A party to a case.

Lockout: Illegally forcing a tenant out of rented property, usually by changing the locks on the doors.

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Magistrate: A person who is not a judge only who is authorized to hear and decide certain types of cases. For case, family back up magistrates hear cases involving kid support.

Mandamus: An guild directed to a individual corporation, or any of its officers, or to an executive, administrative or judicial officeholder, or to a lower court, commanding the functioning of a particular act.

Marshal: The persons responsible for courthouse security including the metal detectors at the entrance of each courthouse and maintaining order in each courtroom. A marshal can too serve (give copies of) legal papers to the other people named in a lawsuit.

Mediation: A dispute resolution process in which an impartial third party assists the parties to voluntarily reach a mutually acceptable settlement.

Modest: A person under age 18, the age of legal bulk.

Misdemeanor: A crime that carries a maximum penalty of ane year and/or a $2,000 fine.

Mitigating Circumstances: Circumstances that may be considered to reduce the guilt of a accused. Commonly based on fairness or mercy.

Mittimus Judgment: As well called a Manus. The formal document prepared by the court clerk to present a convicted defendant in a criminal instance to the Section of Correction for incarceration.

Modification: Request to change a prior order. Usually requires showing a change in circumstances since the date of the prior social club.

Motion: Normally written request to the courtroom in a case. Filed with the clerk'south office.

Movant: The person who filed the motion, or asking, to the courtroom.

Moving Party: The person making the request to the court in a case.

Murder with Special Circumstances: A blazon of murder for which the penalization is life imprisonment without the possibility of release. (C.One thousand.S. 53a-54b and 53a-35a).

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Ne Exeat: A legal paper requesting that a person be required to remain within the jurisdiction of the court (either through incarceration or posting of a bond.)

Neglected Minor: A kid or youth who has (a) been abandoned, (b) is existence denied proper attention, (c) is being permitted to live under conditions injurious to his/her well being, or (d) has been abused.

No Contact Social club: A courtroom social club that prohibits contact by a defendant with a victim; tin can be ordered by a guess, a bail commissioner, a probation officer or a parole officer.

No Error Divorce : The most mutual kind of divorce, where no i needs to testify that the husband or the wife is at fault, or caused the wedlock to end. Described as "broken down irretrievably".

Nolle: Short for nollo prosequi, which means "no prosecution". A disposition of a criminal or motor vehicle case where the prosecutor agrees to drop the case confronting the accused but keeps the correct to reopen the example and prosecute at any fourth dimension during the next xiii months. The nolle is entered on the court record and the defendant is released from custody. If the defendant stays out of trouble during the xiii months, the case is removed from the official court records.

Nolo Contendere : It means "no contest". A plea in a criminal instance that allows the defendant to exist convicted without admitting guilt for the crime charged. Although a finding of guilty is entered on the criminal courtroom tape; the accused can deny the charges in a ceremonious action based on the same acts.

No Contest: A plea in a criminal example that allows the defendant to be bedevilled without admitting guilt for the offense charged. Also chosen nolo contendre. Although a finding of guilty is entered on the criminal court record, the defendant tin can deny the charges in a ceremonious action based on the same acts.

Non-Suit: Vacating a instance past the court, usually for failure to prosecute.

Notarize: To formally complete a document by acknowledgement or oath.

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Oath: To swear/affirm to the truth of a statement/certificate.

Office of Adult Probation: A sectionalisation within the Judicial Branch. The principal responsibilities of the Part of Developed Probation are to supervise persons placed on probation, to conduct investigations for the court to provide groundwork data on bedevilled offenders and to carry eligibility investigations for special programs.

Order: A written management of a court or judge to do or refrain from doing certain acts.

Order to Detain: An society signed by a judge of the Superior Courtroom authorizing admission of a juvenile to a Juvenile Detention Heart, pending a hearing on the next concern day.

Order of Detention (Detention Society): An guild issued by a gauge of the Superior Court finding that there is likely cause that a juvenile committed an crime or a violation of a court order and ordering that the juvenile exist held in a Juvenile Detention Heart or some culling facility until further order of the court.

Orders of Temporary Custody: Also chosen an OTC. Court order placing a child or youth in the short-term legal custody of an private or agency authorized to intendance for juveniles.

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Parcel: A tract or a plot of country.

Parenting Education Plan : A mandatory program for persons involved in a divorce with children or a custody or visitation case. Must be attended inside threescore days of the return date on the summons.

Parole : Release from incarceration after serving part of a judgement.

Parties: The people or legal entities that are named every bit plaintiff(s) and accused(southward) on legal papers.

Party: A person or legal entity that is named as a plaintiff or defendant on legal papers.

Paternity : Legal fatherhood.

Pendente calorie-free order: A court order made earlier concluding orders are granted.

Peremptory Challenge : The rejection of a prospective juror by the attorneys in a instance, without having to requite a reason. State police force defines the number of peremptory challenges available.

Perjury : Making false statements under oath.

Petition: A formal written request to a court, which starts a special proceeding. In juvenile court, the legal document which specifies the complaint against the juvenile and/or family unit; it includes the name, age and address of the minor and his/her guardian, as well as the statutory grounds and facts upon which the asking for the court intervention is based.

Petitioner: Another discussion for plaintiff, the person starting the lawsuit.

Plaintiff: The person who sues or starts a civil case, also called the petitioner or the complainant.

Plea: An defendant persons answer to a criminal charge. For case: not guilty; guilty; no competition.

Plea Bargain: The agreement a defendant makes with the prosecutor to avoid a trial. Normally involves pleading guilty to lesser charges in commutation for a lighter sentence.

Pleadings: The court documents filed with the court by the parties in a civil or criminal example. For instance: motion to dismiss; move for modification.

Posting Bond: To pay the court ordered bond corporeality with cash or property.

Post Judgment: Any request to a court or activity by a judge subsequently a judgment in a instance.

Practice Book : Contains the rules of courtroom and forms which must be followed in all Connecticut court cases. Bachelor in all courthouse law libraries.

Pre-Sentence Investigation: Also called PSI. A background investigation conducted by a probation officer on a person who has been convicted of a criminal offense.

Pretrial: In a civil case, a conference with a judge or trial referee to discuss discovery and settlement. In a criminal case, a conference with the prosecutor, defense force attorney and judge to discuss the case condition and what will happen next.

Pretrial Hearing: Conference with attorneys to determine scope of possible trial with view toward resolving bug through understanding.

Likely Cause Hearing: A hearing held before a approximate in criminal cases to decide if enough evidence exists to prosecute. The likely crusade hearing must be conducted within sixty days of the filing of the complaint or information in Superior Court, unless the accused person waives the time or the court grants an extension based on expert cause.

Probate/Probate Courtroom: A court with limited potency to hear certain kinds of cases, such as adoption, guardianship, mental health commitments. Not a part of the Superior Courtroom arrangement.

Probation : When a convicted offender receives a suspended term of incarceration and is and then supervised by a probation officer for a period of fourth dimension set past a approximate.

Probation Gouger: A person under probation supervision whose location is unknown, in violation of the conditions of their probation.

Promise to Appear: A type of non-financial bond where the defendant agrees to return to court without giving greenbacks or belongings.

Pro Se : A Latin phrase meaning for "yourself"--representing yourself in whatever kind of case.

Pro se Divorce : Do it yourself divorce - (en epañol).

Prosecute: To carry on a instance or judicial proceeding. To proceed against a person criminally.

Prosecutor: Also called the state's attorney. Represents the land in a criminal example against a defendant.

Protective Guild : A criminal court order issued by a judge to protect a family unit or household member.

Public Defender: An attorney appointed and paid by the country who defends a person in a criminal example subsequently the court finds that the person is indigent--financially unable to hire a private chaser.

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Prepare: Means ready to kickoff the trial or begin oral argument. Unremarkably said by an attorney or party in response to a estimate calling the list of scheduled cases.

Record: The pleadings, the exhibits and the transcript made past the court reporter of all proceedings in a trial.

Referee: Judges who reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 may be designated as Judge Trial Referees by the Chief Justice and can hear and decide certain types of cases.

Regional Family Trial Docket : A specialized court designed to hear complicated family cases. One judge hears the case from start to finish. Located in Middletown.

Residential Handling Programs: Programs that provide extensive drug or alcohol treatment on an inpatient ground.

Respondent: Another word for defendant; the person responding to a lawsuit. In Juvenile courtroom, the word refers to the person or persons named in a petition. When used in Practise Book Sec. 2-29 through 2-62 the word "respondent" shall hateful the attorney confronting whom a grievance complaint or presentment has been filed or a person who is alleged to take been engaged in the unauthorized exercise of law pursuant to General Statutes § 51-88."

Residual: To be done presenting the prove in a case, as in "the plaintiff rests".

Restitution : Coin ordered to exist paid by the accused to the victim to reimburse the victim for the costs of the crime. Generally making skillful, or giving the equivalent for whatsoever loss, damage or injury caused by a persons actions. Oftentimes a condition of probation.

Restraining Order : A civil courtroom club to protect a family or household member from physical abuse.

Return Date : The date on which the 90-day waiting menses for a divorce begins. Also, the date that starts the countdown for things taking identify in a instance, including the deadlines for filing sure papers, including the date by which the accused should file an advent. Nothing happens in court on the return date and no ane needs to go to courtroom on the return appointment. The return date is always a Tuesday in civil and family cases. In summary process (eviction) cases, the return date is any week day, Monday through Saturday, except a holiday, usually 7 to ten days from the appointment the clerk signs the summons if the summons is signed by the clerk.

Revocation Hearing: A hearing held before a approximate to make up one's mind whether or not a person has violated the conditions of probation. If in that location is a finding that a violation has occurred, the judge may impose all or part of the original sentence.

Rule to Prove Crusade: Summons compelling a person to appear in court on a specific date to answer to a asking that certain orders be modified or vacated.

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Seal : A court order closing a case file from public review, normally in cases of youthful offenders and acquittal. Prevents the public from obtaining information on the cases.

Senior Judge : A judge who reaches the age of 65, or who meets certain other requirements and chooses senior status. Senior judges hear cases on a function time basis until they reach the mandatory retirement age of seventy.

Sentences: The punishment imposed by a approximate after the defendant is bedevilled of a crime. Sentences can be: Concurrent - Multiple sentences will exist served at the same time (i.eastward., sentences of ten years, 8 years and ii years - to be served concurrently - equal a full constructive sentence of 10 years.) Consecutive - The sentences are served back-to-back. The same example in a higher place would equal a total effective sentence of xx years.

Sentencing: When a criminal defendant is brought before a estimate after confidence for ordering the terms of the penalty.

Sentence Modification : A defendant'south written application to the sentencing guess or court to reduce the sentence at whatsoever time during the judgement. The judge conducts a hearing. If the original judgement was more than three years, the prosecutor must agree.

Sentence Review : A defendant's written application to a three judge panel to review the sentence. Must be filed inside 30 days after being sentenced with the courtroom clerk. A review decision can increase or decrease the sentence.

Serious Juvenile Offender: A child who has been adjudicated by the juvenile court for a serious juvenile criminal offense.

Serious Juvenile Criminal offense: Certain criminal offenses listed in the Connecticut General Statutes, which are crimes confronting persons, serious property crimes and certain drug offenses. A juvenile charged with a Serious Juvenile Offense by constabulary may exist admitted to a Juvenile Detention Center with a prior court order and may exist released only by gild of a judge of the Superior Court.

Service: The legal method for giving a re-create of the courtroom papers beingness filed to other parties in a case.

Short Calendar : A list of cases in which hearing past the judge or magistrate is requested or required.

Skid Opinions : Opinions, or written decisions, of the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court that are publicly released prior to their official publication in the Connecticut Law Journal.

Small Claims : Civil deportment to recover damages, or money, upwards to $5000.The rules of evidence are relaxed and people oftentimes correspond themselves instead of hiring an chaser.

Special Sessions of the Superior Court : A plan of the Judicial Branch where cases of a single type are heard by the same judge through the entire case. For instance: Drug Session; Tax Session; Community Court.

State Referee: A retired judge who presides over cases referred by the court with agreement of counsel for both parties. Has full powers of an active trial judge.

States Chaser: An attorney who represents the country in criminal cases. The prosecutor.

Statute : A law enacted by a legislative body.

Statute of Limitations : A certain time immune past law for starting a case. For instance, vi years in a contract example.

Stay: Temporarily stopping a judicial proceeding.

Stipulation: Also called a "stip." A written agreement by the parties or their attorneys.

Subpoena: A command to appear in court to show as a witness.

Subpoena Duces Tecum: A legal paper requiring someone to produce documents or records for a trial.

Substance Abuse Education: A community based program for drug offenders that provides teaching about the harmful effects of drug abuse and also supervises community service.

Southwardubstitute Charge: In a criminal case, a charge that replaces the original accuse by the prosecutor.

Summary Process : An eviction case.

Summons : A legal newspaper that is used to start a civil instance and become jurisdiction over a party.

Summons (Juvenile): A written notice issued by the courtroom commanding a person to appear in a court at a given appointment and time. A summons is issued to an individual charged or other party on a petition or complaint.

Support Enforcement Officer: A person who supervises child support payments and brings parents to court to enforce kid support orders. May also file legal papers to modify or modify child support orders.

Superlative

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Testimony: Statements made by a witness or political party under oath.

Time Served: A sentence of incarceration equal to the amount of time a defendant has already spent in country custody waiting for disposition of the case.

Title: Legal recognition of the buying of property, usually proven by a document.

Tort: A civil injury or wrong to someone else, or their property.

Transcript: The official written record of everything that was said at a court proceeding, a hearing, or a degradation.

Transfer : Assignment of a case to some other court location by court gild.

Transfer Hearing: Juvenile Court hearing to determine whether a child, fourteen or older, charged with a serious juvenile offense should have his/her case transferred to a criminal court and be subject to the same processes and penalties as an adult charged with the same crime.

Trial De Novo: A new trial or retrial in which the whole instance with testify and witnesses is presented every bit if no previous trial had been held.

Trial Referee: An chaser appointed by the Principal Justice to hear any civil not-jury example where the parties agree to apply a trial referee and all the legal papers take been filed.

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Uncared For : Legal description of a kid or youth who is homeless or whose home cannot provide the specialized intendance which his/her concrete, emotional or mental condition requires.

Unconditional Belch: A sentence in a criminal example in which the defendant is released without imprisonment, probation supervision or conditions.

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Vacate: To cancel or rescind a court order.

Venue: The courtroom location.

Victim Services Advocate : A person who assesses a victim'south needs and helps the victim understand the court instance, how to exercise their rights and how to access other resource.

Visitation : A courtroom order deciding the amount of time a non-custodial parent may spend with his or her child, besides called parenting time or access.

Violation: An offense for which the just sentence authorized is a fine.

Violation of Probation : Activity or inaction that disobeys a condition of probation.

Voir Dire: "To speak the truth." The process of questioning prospective jurors or witnesses about their qualifications.

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Wage Execution : The process of deducting coin from wages to pay a judgment. Too called a garnishment or zipper.

Wage Withholding : A court order to deduct child support or alimony payments from someone's wages. All child support court orders must include an income withholding order unless both parents inquire the approximate not to.

Witness: A person who testifies to what they saw, heard, observed or did.

Writ: Legal paper filed to kickoff various types of civil lawsuits.

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Youth: Whatsoever person xvi (16) to xviii (xviii) years of age.

Youthful Offender: The legal status of persons who take been arrested for a crime committed when they were between the ages of xvi and 18 and who encounter other requirements. All 16- and 17- twelvemonth-erstwhile defendants are treated as youthful offenders, except those who have been charged with certain felonies, have already been convicted of a felony on the developed docket, or take been adjudicated every bit a serious juvenile offender. For defendants treated every bit Youthful Offenders, the information and proceedings are confidential and do not become a role of the person'southward criminal record.

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Source: https://www.jud.ct.gov/legalterms.htm