Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Hung jury A jury that cannot agree on a final verdict. If a jury is hung, the court declares a mistrial and the case may be re-tried. Forcible entry and detainer Ordinarily refers to a summary proceeding for restoring possession of land to one who has been wrongfully deprived of possession Litigant A party to a lawsuit; one engaged in litigation. Et seq An abbreviation for et sequentes, or et sequentia, "and the following," ordinarily used in referring to a section of statutes. Costs An allowance for expenses in prosecuting or defending a suit. Ordinarily this does not include attorney fees. Contempt of court Any act involving disrespect to the court or failure to obey its rules or orders. Contempt of court carries a maximum of 30 days in jail. Recognizance The continued, habitual or compulsive commission of law violations after first having been convicted of prior offenses. presentment In felony cases, the first appearance before a judge at which the defendant is formally notified of the charges and a date is set for a preliminary hearing. No plea is entered at this stage. If, after the preliminary hearing, the case is bound over to the District Court, the defendant will enter a plea during arraignment in District Court. (Presentment is often incorrectly called arraignment.)

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	Did You Know?
	The mediation process may vary depending on the mediator. Generally, mediations commence with a general session with all parties, counsel and the mediator. At the general session, there will be a discussion of the case, the issues on appeal and other matters important to settlement. Then the mediator will meet separately with each party and their counsel in separate "caucuses." In these separate sessions, the mediator will seek to foster negotiations between the parties and develop agreement.