Civil Procedure
The rules and process by which a civil case is tried and appealed, including the preparations for trial, the rules of evidence and trial conduct, and the procedure for pursuing appeals.
Class Action
A lawsuit brought by one or more persons on behalf of a larger group.
Clear and Convincing Evidence
Standard of proof commonly used in civil lawsuits and in regulatory agency cases. It governs the amount of proof that must be offered in order for the plaintiff to win the case.
Clemency or Executive Clemency
Act of grace or mercy by the President or a governor to ease the consequences of a criminal act, accusation, or conviction. It may take the form of commutation or pardon.
Closing Argument
The closing statement, by counsel, to the trier of facts after all parties have concluded their presentation of evidence.
Codicil (kod'i-sil)
An amendment to a will.
Commit
To send a person to prison, asylum, or reformatory by a court order.
Commitment
Placement of a youth in the care of the city (specifically, the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, or DYRS) rather than putting him on probation, after a finding of, or plea to, involvement in a crime.
Common Law
A body of laws that is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
Commutation
The reduction of a prison sentence, as from death to life imprisonment.