A means of getting an appellate court to review a lower court's decision. The loser of a case will often ask the appellate court to issue a writ of certiorari, which orders the lower court to convey the record of the case to the appellate court and to certify it as accurate and complete. If an appellate court grants a writ of certiorari, it agrees to take the appeal. This is often referred to as granting cert.
An objection, such as when an attorney objects at a hearing to the seating of a particular person on a civil or criminal jury.
Objection to the seating of a particular juror for a stated reason (usually bias or prejudice for or against one of the parties in the lawsuit). The judge has the discretion to deny the challenge.
A judge's private office. A hearing in chambers takes place in the judge's office outside of the presence of the jury and the public.
Moving a lawsuit or criminal trial to another place for trial.
The judge's instructions to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case on trial.
Presiding or Administrative Judge in a court.
Evidence that is not based on something a person knows or saw happen. One example is physical evidence, such as fingerprints.
A reference to a source of legal authority. 2. A direction to appear in court, as when a defendant is cited into court, rather than arrested.
Noncriminal cases in which one private individual or business sues another to protect, enforce, or redress private or civil rights.
