Grand Jury
A body of persons sworn to inquire into crime and, if appropriate, bring accusations (indictments) against the suspected criminals.
Grantor or Settlor
The person who sets up a trust.
Group Home
A private residence designed or converted to serve as a non-secure home for unrelated persons, such as juveniles.
Guardian
A person appointed by will or by law to assume responsibility for incompetent adults or minor children. If a parent dies, this will usually be the other parent. If both die, it probably will be a close relative.
Guardianship
Legal right given to a person to be responsible for the food, housing, health care, and other necessities of a person deemed incapable of providing these necessities for himself or herself. A guardian also may be given responsibility for the person's financial affairs, and thus, perform additionally as a conservator. See also conservatorship.
Habeas Corpus
A writ commanding that a person be brought before a judge. Most commonly, a writ of habeas corpus is a legal document that forces law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding and to legally justify his or her confinement.
Harmless Error
An error committed during a trial that was corrected or was not serious enough to affect the outcome of a trial and, therefore, was not sufficiently harmful (prejudicial) to be reversed on appeal.
Hearsay
Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.
Hostile Witness
A witness whose testimony is not favorable to the party who calls him or her as a witness. A hostile witness may be asked leading questions and may be cross-examined by the party who calls him or her to the stand.
Hung Jury
A jury whose members cannot agree upon a verdict.