A legal doctrine by which acts of the opposing parties are compared to determine the percentage of liability of each party, resulting in the reduction of the plaintiff’s recovery proportionally to the plaintiff’s degree of fault. See also contributory negligence.
The party who complains or sues; one who applies to the court for legal redress. Also called the plaintiff.
The legal document that usually begins a civil lawsuit. It states the facts and identifies the action the court is asked to take. 2. Formal written charge that a person has committed a criminal offense.
A form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties bring their dispute to a neutral third party, who helps lower tensions, improve communications, and explore possible solutions. Conciliation is similar to mediation, but it may be less formal.
Sentences for more than one crime that are to be served at the same time, rather than one after the other. See also cumulative sentences.
The legal process by which the government takes private land for public use, paying the owners a fair price.
Terms by which someone must abide in order to be in the community, rather than secure detention.
Successive sentences, one beginning at the expiration of another, imposed against a person convicted of two or more violations.
An agreement that a youth shall be on probation before a plea or finding of involvement in a crime. The decree is usually six months in length and does not require further hearings, unless requested because the youth is not complying with conditions of release.
Legal right given to a person to manage the property and financial affairs of a person deemed incapable of doing so for himself or herself. (See also guardianship. Conservators have somewhat less responsibility than guardians.)
