Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Search warrants In general, an examination, without authority of law, of one's premises or person to find-stolen property or contraband. Commutation The change of a punishment from a greater degree to a lesser degree, as from death to life imprisonment. In Utah the Board of Pardons may do this Double jeopardy Common law and constitutional prohibition (5th Amendment) against more than one prosecution for the same crime Immunity Legal protection from liability. There are many categories of immunity in civil and criminal law. For example, sovereign immunity protects government agencies from civil liability and judicial immunity protects judges acting in their official capacities. Original jurisdiction The court in which a matter must first be filed. Information The first paper filed in criminal prosecution, which states the crime of which the defendant is accused. Assault A willful attempt to illegally inflict injury on or threaten a person. Case law The law made by courts interpreting cases and laws as opposed to law made by legislatures. In the American system, the primary sources of law are 1) constitutions, 2) statutes/regulations, and 3) case law.

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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.