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Abandonment
A parent's or custodian's act of leaving a child without adequate care, supervision, support or parental contact for an excessive period of time. Also, the desertion of one spouse by the other with the intent to terminate the marriage relationship.
Law and motion
A setting before a judge at which time a variety of motions, pleas, sentencing, orders to show cause or procedural requests may be presented. Normally, evidence is not taken. Defendants must be present.
Criminal case
A case brought by the government against a person accused of committing a crime.
Adversary system
The system of trial practice in the United States and some other countries in which each of the opposing, or adversary, parties has the opportunity to present and establish opposing contentions before the court
Fifth Amendment
Among other rights, the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that a person cannot be compelled to present self-incriminating testimony in a criminal (or juvenile) proceeding.
Counterclaim
A claim presented by a defendant in a civil proceeding in opposition to the claim of a plaintiff.
Material evidence
Evidence that is relevant to the issues in a case.
Clerk of the court
Court official who keeps court records, files pleadings, motions, and judgments, and administers the oath to jurors and witnesses
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