Breaking Down Common Legal Jargon

The legal landscape can be very scary to navigate, especially when it feels like everyone around you is talking in code. Because we believe that everyone should be able to understand basic civil law terms, we want to explain these common legal terms. Hopefully, this way, communication can be effective and clear in this civil proceedings. This also helps our clients make informed decisions and gives them confidence to face the process. The attorneys at Sutton & Lovette Law Offices are here to explain these terms to you and help you better understand legal conversations happening around you. 

Plaintiff

A plaintiff refers to a person who brings a case against another in a court of law. For a more detailed definition, the plaintiff is the party that presents their case, provides the evidence, and first seeks legal representation and relief from the court. The plaintiff must be able to provide proof and demonstrate that the defendant is responsible for the actions they are claiming to the court. The plaintiff seeks to gain a favorable judgement in the form of money, injunction, or some other kind of retribution under the law.

Defendant

A defendant refers to an individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law. The defendant can be an individual person or an organization. For a more detailed definition, a defendant’s role is to respond to the allegations that are made by the plaintiff and defend themselves in court. They can present evidence of their own and bring legal defense to challenge the plaintiff’s claims. The defendant seeks to refute the plaintiff’s allegations and gain favorable judgement in the form of a dismissal, judgement in their favor, or a reduced penalty. 

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations in court refers to a law passed by a legislative body to set the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. Once this time limit has run out, there is no longer a right to seek legal action against something/someone. For a more detailed definition, this specific amount of time varies depending on the law and the type of claim being filed. The statute is supposed to help the system remain fair and prevent stale claims from surfacing where the level of certainty is sure to decrease. 

Due process

Due process in a United States court of law requires just and fair treatment of everyone, regardless of their background or immigration status, if their life, freedom, or property is at risk. Due process makes sure that people are given a fair hearing. For a more detailed definition, due process is a fundamental legal principle that refers to the safeguards that must be followed by the government when they decide to deprive a person of life, liberty, or property. It ensures with legal power that individuals are provided a fair chance to present the evidence of their case, confront witnesses, and have legal representation. 

Precedent

A precedent refers to a court or legal decision that sets a standard for future cases involving identical or similar facts, or similar legal issues. For a more detailed definition, precedent is a legal case that has previously been decided and it is used as a guide for similar cases in the future. You may have heard the phrase “sets a precedent” before to mean that something will follow a certain set of rules in the future. This definition of precedent is where that phrase comes from. 

Pro Bono

The term pro bono refers to legal services that are provided for free or at a cheaper rate for those that are in need of them. It is usually offered by attorneys that want to help those in need of legal assistance that may have trouble affording it. For a more detailed definition, the term comes from a Latin phrase that means “for the good of the public.” Pro bono work is usually used by lawyers to promote equal access to justice and make sure that everyone is represented with legal assistance when they need it. Pro bono work is encouraged by legal orgs and also bar associations as it helps contribute to your community and uphold principles of justice. 

Legal Remedy

A legal remedy refers to an injured part that is seeking relief or compensation for harm suffered or a legal wrong done. This means it encompasses legal remedies like monetary damage, injunctions, or specific performance, to provide a resolution to a legal issue. More specifically, it refers to the methods that are available in a legal system to address a wrong. As stated above, these remedies can take many forms, but most often monetary or retaliatory. This one may be a little bit more confusing than the others, so follow the link for more information.

Contact Sutton & Lovette for Legal Assistance

Law spaces are often very confusing and intimidating for people to enter without any background knowledge. At Sutton & Lovette, we want to change that. Everyone deserves to be completely informed on their options when presented with a legal case. By understanding these terms, you can navigate the system more easily. We want to make this terminology more accessible to everyone so they have an easier time when searching for help or representation. If you are confused by a legal situation presented to you and you are looking for professional advice, reach out to us today and we would be glad to help. You can contact us at (814) 471-7702 or suttonandlovette@gmail.com.