Legal Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Legal Terms

Polling the jury A practice whereby the jurors are asked individually on the record whether they agreed, and still agree, to the verdict. Mitigating circumstance A circumstance that may be considered to reduce the degree of moral culpability, although it does not entirely justify or excuse an offense. Judgment The official decision of a court disposing of a case. Testate One who has died leaving a will or one who has made a will. Recognizance The continued, habitual or compulsive commission of law violations after first having been convicted of prior offenses. Deliberation The jury's decision-making process after hearing the evidence and closing arguments and being given the court's instructions. Appellate court A court that hears appeals from a lower court Directed verdict In civil cases in which there is insufficient basis for any other conclusion, the judge may direct the jury to render a specific verdict. Criminal defendants may also ask the court to rule in their favor rather than submitting the case to the jury.

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