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Negligence
Failure to exercise the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in the same circumstances.
Preliminary hearing
A probable cause hearing which screens felony criminal cases by deciding whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. If the judge determines there is sufficient evidence, the defendant is "bound over" for trial. The defendant may waive this hearing.
Conviction
In a criminal case, a finding that the defendant is guilty.
Redirect examination
A kind of bail, consisting of a written promise to appear in court when required. Generally, when there is no good reason to suppose the accused in a criminal case will not appear when required or the accused is not a significant risk to the community, he or she will be released on his or her own recognizance.
Restitution
A party is said to "rest" or "rest his case" when he/she has presented all the evidence he/she intends to offer.
Comparative negligence
The degree to which a person contributed to his/her own injury, damage or death. Usually measured in terms of percentage. Contributory negligence is the failure to exercise care by a plaintiff, which contributed to the plaintiff's injury.
Ordinance
A written law enacted by the legislative body of a county, city, or town.
Ex post facto
After the fact, ordinarily used in reference to constitutional prohibition on ex post facto laws. For example, a person cannot be punished for conduct committed before a criminal law was enacted
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