LC Russian key terms

A writ requiring that a person detained by the state be brought before a court so the lawfulness of the detention can be tested; if no legal basis is shown, the court orders release.

The constitutional guarantee that the government will not deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without fair procedures, including notice, a hearing, and an impartial decision-maker.

The obligation of a party to persuade the fact-finder that a disputed fact is true to the required standard, such as preponderance of the evidence or beyond a reasonable doubt.

An order from a higher court, most often the U.S. Supreme Court, directing a lower court to send up the record of a case for discretionary review.

A court's authority to review decisions of lower courts for legal error rather than to try facts anew; the reviewing court may affirm, reverse, or remand.

To send a case back from a reviewing court to the court that decided it, usually with instructions to correct an error or to conduct further proceedings consistent with the higher court's ruling.

Questioning of a witness by the party who called that witness, aimed at eliciting the witness's account in the witness's own words; leading questions are generally barred at this stage.

Questioning of a witness by the opposing party after direct examination, typically to test credibility, expose inconsistencies, and narrow or contradict the testimony already given.

A question phrased so that it suggests the desired answer or puts words in the witness's mouth, permissible on cross-examination but generally not on direct examination except for hostile witnesses.

A formal statement by counsel asking the judge to exclude a question, an answer, or an item of evidence as improper under the rules of evidence; the judge then sustains or overrules it.

A judge's ruling agreeing with an objection and therefore disallowing the question, answer, or evidence at issue; the counterpart ruling is to overrule the objection.

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, generally inadmissible unless it falls within a recognized exception or is offered for another purpose.

A written statement of facts sworn or affirmed by the person making it before someone authorized to administer oaths, usable in court as sworn testimony subject to evidentiary rules.

Sworn out-of-court testimony of a witness recorded in advance of trial, taken by counsel for both sides with a court reporter present, and usable to impeach or preserve testimony.

A public officer authorized to administer oaths, certify signatures, and attest the authenticity of documents; notarial certification is often required for affidavits and powers of attorney.

A written instrument by which one person authorizes another to act on that person's behalf in legal or financial matters, either for a single transaction or generally.

The party who initiates a civil lawsuit by filing a complaint, seeking a remedy such as damages or an injunction from the defendant.

The party against whom a civil action or criminal charge is brought; in criminal cases the defendant is the accused person, presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The initial pleading filed by a plaintiff that states the facts, the legal claims, and the relief sought, thereby starting the civil action and triggering the defendant's response.

A formal judgment that a criminal defendant is not guilty of the charge, ending the prosecution; it may follow a verdict or a directed judgment and does not normally bar appeal by the state.

A formal written accusation returned by a grand jury charging a person with a serious crime and requiring the accused to answer the charge in court.

A court appearance at which the accused is informed of the charges and asked to plead guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere; bail and pretrial release may also be set.

The pretrial phase in which each party may obtain evidence and information from the other through interrogatories, document requests, depositions, and requests for admission.

A law setting the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be started; once it expires, the claim is generally time-barred.

A civil wrong other than breach of contract that causes harm for which the injured party may sue, such as negligence, defamation, battery, or trespass.

Money awarded by a court to compensate a claimant for loss, or to punish and deter certain conduct; common categories are compensatory, punitive, and nominal damages.

A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specified act; a preliminary injunction preserves the status quo pending trial, while a permanent one follows final judgment.

Failure to perform a duty promised in a binding agreement without legal excuse, giving the non-breaching party a right to damages or other remedies.

A court's legal authority to hear and decide a particular case, which requires both subject-matter jurisdiction over the type of dispute and personal jurisdiction over the parties.

The geographic place or court within a system where a case may properly be tried, distinct from jurisdiction, which concerns the court's power to decide the matter at all.

Принцип уголовного процесса, по которому обвиняемый считается невиновным, пока его вина не доказана в предусмотренном законом порядке и не установлена вступившим в силу приговором суда.

Лицо, в отношении которого вынесено постановление о привлечении в качестве обвиняемого либо составлен обвинительный акт; участник процесса, чьи права и обязанности определены законом.

Обязанность стороны представить доказательства в подтверждение своих требований или возражений; в уголовном процессе оно лежит на стороне обвинения.

Любые сведения, на основе которых суд и участники процесса устанавливают наличие или отсутствие обстоятельств, имеющих значение для правильного разрешения дела.

Предметы, которые служили орудиями преступления, сохранили на себе следы преступления либо могут служить средствами для обнаружения преступления и установления обстоятельств дела.

Процессуальный документ, которым завершается предварительное расследование и в котором излагаются существо обвинения, доказательства и данные о личности обвиняемого.

Должностное лицо органов прокуратуры, осуществляющее надзор за соблюдением законов и поддерживающее государственное обвинение в суде по уголовным делам.

Лицо, осуществляющее защиту прав и интересов подозреваемого, обвиняемого или подсудимого в уголовном процессе; как правило, это адвокат, допущенный к участию в деле.

Непрофессиональные судьи, включённые в списки кандидатов и отобранные для участия в рассмотрении уголовного дела, разрешающие вопросы факта при вынесении вердикта.

Решение коллегии присяжных заседателей о виновности или невиновности подсудимого по вопросам, поставленным перед ними председательствующим судьёй.

Обвиняемый, дело которого принято судом к производству и рассматривается в судебном заседании; участник судебного разбирательства со своим процессуальным положением.