Screening & Risk mitigation Glossary*
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Afiant: A person who makes and signs an affidavit.
Aid and Abet: To actively, knowingly or intentionally assist another person in the commission or attempted commission of a crime.
Allegation: A statement of the issues in a written document (a pleading) which a person is prepared to prove in court. For example, an indictment contains allegations of crimes against the defendant.
Alternative dispute resolution: Settling a dispute without full, formal trial. Methods include mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and settlement, among others.
Amicus curiae: A friend of the court. One not a party to a case who volunteers to offer information on a point of law or some other aspect of the case to assist the court in deciding a matter before it.
Answer: The defendant's response to the plaintiff's allegations as stated in a complaint. An item-by-item, paragraph-by-paragraph response to points made in a complaint; part of the pleadings.
Appeal: An application for review of an order of conviction.
Appearance: The formal proceeding by which a defendant submits to the jurisdiction of the court and A written notification to the plaintiff by an attorney stating that he/she is representing the defendant.
Appellate court: A court having jurisdiction to hear appeals and review a trial court's procedure.
Appellee: The party against whom an appeal is taken. Sometimes called a respondent.
Arbitration: A form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties bring their dispute to a neutral third party and agree to abide by his/her decision. In arbitration there is a hearing at which both parties have an opportunity to be heard.
Arraignment: Appearance of the defendant in court to enter his/her plea to the charges.
Arrest: To take into custody by legal authority.
Assault: Threat to inflict injury with an apparent ability to do so. Also, any intentional display of force that would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.
Asylum state: The state holding the fugitive.
At Issue: The time in a lawsuit when the complaining party has stated his/her claim and the other side has responded with a denial and the matter is ready to be tried.
Attachment: Taking a person's property to satisfy a court-ordered debt.
Attorney of record: The attorney retained or assigned to represent a client.
Attorney-at-law: An advocate, counsel, or official agent employed in preparing, managing, and trying cases in the court.
Attorney-in-fact: A private person (who is not necessarily a lawyer) authorized by another to act in his/her place, either for some particular purpose, as to do a specified act, or for the transaction of business in general, not of legal character. This authority is conferred by an instrument in writing, called a letter of attorney, or more commonly a power of attorney.
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