Plea
In a criminal proceeding, it is the defendant's declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty. The defendant's answer to the charges made in the indictment or information.
Plea Bargaining
The process through which an accused person and a prosecutor negotiate a mutually satisfactory disposition of a case. Usually it is a legal transaction in which a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for some form of leniency. It often involves a guilty plea to lesser charges or a guilty plea to some of the charges if other charges are dropped. Such bargains are not binding on the court.
Pleadings
The written statements of fact and law filed by the parties to a lawsuit.
Polling the Jury
The act, after a jury verdict has been announced, of asking jurors individually whether they agree with the verdict.
Pour-Over Will
A will that leaves some or all estate assets to a trust established before the will-maker's death.
Power of Attorney
Formal authorization of a person to act in the interests of another person.
Pre-Disposition
The period between arrest/case filing and disposition or sentencing of a juvenile.
Pre-Sentence Report
A report to the sentencing judge containing background information about the crime and the defendant to assist the judge in making his or her sentencing decision.
Pre-Trial Conference
A meeting between the judge and the lawyers involved in a lawsuit to narrow the issues in the suit, agree on what will be presented at the trial, and make a final effort to settle the case without a trial.
Precedent
A previously decided case that guides the decision of future cases.