Patent
A government grant giving an inventor the exclusive right to make or sell his or her invention for a term of years.
PD 379
A police form used for juvenile delinquency complaints.
Peremptory Challenge
A challenge that may be used to reject a certain number of prospective jurors without giving a reason.
Perjury
The criminal offense of making a false statement under oath.
Permanent Injunction
A court order requiring that some action be taken, or that some party refrain from taking action. It differs from forms of temporary relief, such as a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.
Person in Need of Supervision (PINS)
Juvenile found to have committed a status offense rather than a crime that would provide a basis for a finding of delinquency. Typical status offenses are habitual truancy, violating a curfew, or running away from home. These are not crimes, but they might be enough to place a child under supervision. In different states, status offenders might be called children in need of supervision or minors in need of supervision.
Personal Property
Tangible items (such as cars, clothing, furniture, and jewelry) and intangible items that a person may own. This does not include real property such as land or rights in land.
Personal Representative
The person who has been appointed by the court to administer an estate.
Petitioner
The person filing an action in a court of original jurisdiction. Also, the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court. The opposing party is called the respondent.
Plaintiff
The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit. Also called the complainant.