Sexual Abuse Violates Everyone (SAVE)
Male only sex offender group.
Shelter Care
A pre-disposition (that is, prior to a plea or a finding of involvement or guilt) placement outside of the family home.
Show Cause Hearing
If a juvenile has not been compliant with court-ordered conditions, then a hearing is held to allow the juvenile to demonstrate the reason(s) why he or she should not be held in contempt of court or have his or her probation revoked.
Sidebar
A conference between the judge and lawyers, usually in the courtroom, out of earshot of the jury and spectators.
Slander
False and defamatory spoken words tending to harm another's reputation, business, or means of livelihood. Slander is spoken defamation; libel is published.
Small Claims Court
A court that handles civil claims for small amounts of money. People often represent themselves rather than hire an attorney. In the District of Columbia, the maximum claim sought in Small Claims Court cannot exceed $5,000.
Sovereign Immunity
The doctrine that the government, state or federal, is immune to lawsuit unless it gives its consent.
Specific Performance
A remedy requiring a person who has breached a contract to perform specifically what he or she agreed to do. Specific performance is ordered when monetary damages would be inadequate compensation.
Spendthrift Trust
A trust set up for the benefit of someone who the grantor believes would be incapable of managing his or her own financial affairs.
Standing
The legal right to bring a lawsuit. Only a person with something at stake has standing to bring a lawsuit.