Family Team Meeting
A process that brings together relevant family members and resource persons who can make and implement a plan to assist a juvenile in getting his or her needs met and rehabilitating him or her.
Felony
A more serious crime than a misdemeanor, usually punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary for more than a year and/or substantial fines.
Fiduciary
A person having a legal relationship of trust and confidence to another and having a duty to act primarily for the other's benefit, e.g., a guardian, trustee, or executor.
File
To place a paper in the official custody of the clerk of court/court administrator to enter into the files or records of a case.
Finding
Formal conclusion by a judge or regulatory agency on issues of fact. Also, a conclusion by a jury regarding a fact.
First Appearance
The initial appearance of an arrested person before a judge to determine whether or not there is probable cause for his or her arrest. Generally the person comes before a judge within hours of the arrest. This is also called an initial appearance.
Fraud
Intentional deception (by misrepresentation or omission) to deprive another person of property or to injure that person in some other way.
Garnishment
A legal proceeding in which a debtor’s money, in the possession of another (called the garnishee), is applied to the debts of the debtor, such as when an employer garnishes a debtor’s wages.
General Jurisdiction
Refers to courts that have no limit on the types of criminal and civil cases they may hear.
Good Time
A reduction in sentenced time in prison as a reward for good behavior. It usually is one-third to one-half off the maximum sentence.