Glossary

Legal glossary

763 definitions · page 4 of 13.

Homestead Exemption information: In bankruptcy law, this is the exemption allowed a debtor seeking relief in an interest in the dwelling house and the adjoining land from the claims of creditors.
Homestead information: In property law, this is the dwelling house and the adjoining land.
Homicide information: The killing of a human being through the act of another human being.
Honorable information: A courtesy title given especially to judges.
Hornbook Law information: A general principle of law as given in a legal treatise, known as a hornbook. These are useful books in law school but not so authoritative in a court.
Hostage information: A captive held by another for the purpose of making demands on another person.
Hostile Takeover information: The act of taking over a corporation without consent, except through buying up outstanding shares of stock, or making a tender offer that management cannot defeat.
Hot Pursuit information: The state of pursuit of a felon across state line or other jurisdictional boundary and the right of a police officer to cross those lines in haste in order to make an arrest of a fleeing suspect.
Hourly Worker: An hourly worker is an employee that is paid per unit of time, in this case a set amount of money per each hour worked. Factory work that is hourly may be managed by time clocks that keep a record of when the employee is on duty and off duty. The time clock…
House Closing information: The formal transfer of ownership of a home from one person to another. Closing usually occurs at the offices of a real estate title company.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) information: A federal agency in charge of programs and policies regarding housing issues and neighborhood improvement.
Hung Jury information: A jury that is unable to reach a conclusion on a trial issue such that no result is obtained. A hung jury will result in a mistrial.
Husband and Wife Privilege information: Most states recognize the confidential nature of marital communications and will not requires one spouse to testify against another. There are, or course, exceptions to the rule. Most notably, the rule does not apply where one spouse is the victim of a crime…
Hyperlink information: In internet issues, this is the linking word or document that moves the surfer from one page or provider to another.
Identical information: Exactly the same.
Identity of Interests information: In civil practice, where one party has the same interest in the litigation as another, the party may be joined in the action, or may be bound by the result.
Identity Theft: Identity theft is unlawfully acquiring and using the identification of another person as one's own. For example, one who uses a credit card or credit device by posing to be the owner of the card, and who obtains goods and services thereby, is guilty of…
Illegal Entry information: Un-permitted entry into a structure or dwelling, even when the police come in without a warrant.
Illegal information: Not legal, or against the law. An act that will expose one to punishment.
Illegitimate information: Contrary to law. A child born outside of marriage, or wedlock, is said to be illegitimate.
Illicit information: unlawful, or not permitted.
Illusory Promise information: Contrary to law. An insubstantial promise, not worthy of enforcement, and not a viable consideration for the formation of a contract.
Income Tax: The taxation of income was first authorized by the 16th amendment to the United States Constitution where Congress was granted the power to levy a tax on incomes from whatever source the income was derived. This is a wide open door and it has stayed open…
Income Tax Penalty: The internal revenue service is empowered by provisions in the tax code to assess a penalty in certain situations where the tax paid has been less than the amount that was actually owed. A tax penalty can also be assessed for tardy tax payments. The penalty…
Incorporation: Incorporation refers to the legal process by which a corporation come in existence. The incorporation procedure is always governed by a state statutory scheme and is usually administered by the relevant Secretary of State for that jurisdiction. Once the…
Individual Retirement Account IRA: The IRA is a form of savings account. The advantage for many qualified persons is that contributions into the account are tax deductible up to a maximum dollar amount set by the statute. The income from the account will accumulate tax free as well…
Individual Retirement Account, IRA: The IRA is a form of savings account. The advantage for many qualified persons is that contributions into the account are tax deductible up to a maximum dollar amount set by the statute. The income from the account will accumulate tax free as well…
Insolvent: Insolvent status, similar to being bankrupt, is simply being unable to meet current expenses as they come due. This is insolvency.
Intellectual Property: Intellectual property is a property right recognized by the law in the products of human creativity. Intellectual property can consist of a book, a poem, a song, or any other kind of valuable idea, design, etc., such that the intellectual property can be…
Jury Consultants: Picking a jury is one of the most important steps in the litigation process. During voir dire, the lawyers for each side will be permitted to ask questions of the jury panel members. This is an opportunity to find out if any of the panel members have a bias…
Legal Term Accounting Information: Stock Certificate Information: A stock certificate is the paper or documentary evidence of stock ownership as printed and issued by the corporation.
Legal Term Banking Information: Letter of Credit Information: A letter of credit is a document that is issued by a bank guaranteeing the account of a person up to a certain limit and for a definite period of time. The letter of credit can be shown to other lenders as proof of…
Legal Terms Immigration: Immigration information: Entering a country with the idea of staying there permanently, and becoming a citizen.
Legal Terms Immigration and Naturalization Service: Immigration and Naturalization Service information: The agency charged with supervising the process by which immigrants are allowed into the United States, remain the in country, and become citizens.
Legal Terms Immunity: Immunity information: A promise made to a defendant in a criminal law setting such that no further prosecution will be done against said defendant in exchange for cooperation or testimony against others. Further, if granted immunity, the defendant may be…
Legal Terms Impeach: Impeach information: The bringing of a formal charge against an office holder. Also, impeach refers to a goal of cross examination of a witness, whereby the bias, or lack of veracity of a witness is elicited, thus impeaching the witnesses credibility.
Legal Terms Impleader: Impleader information: A pleading that brings into existing litigation a third party that may be able to give relief.
Legal Terms Implicate: Implicate information: To give information tending to show that another person was involved in a crime.
Legal Terms Implied Warranty: Implied Warranty information: The warranty that arises simply because the goods were sold, that they are fit for the particular purpose intended. This warranty exists regardless of specific guarantees given.
Legal Terms Implied Warranty of Habitability: Implied Warranty of Habitability information: The warranty that arises simply because the house or rental premises are let, that they are suitable for living in.
Legal Terms Imprison: Imprison information: To confine or put in prison. A legal restraint of liberty.
Legal Terms Impugn: Impugn information: To insult by calling into question the quality of a person's character.
Legal Terms Imputed Income: Imputed Income information: A value given to the benefit received from use of one's own property or services.
Legal Terms Imputed Negligence: Imputed Negligence information: Where one person's negligence is imputed to another, such that liability follows. For example, a parent can be held responsible for some of the negligent actions and omissions of their child, by imputation through the…
Legal Terms In Arrears: In Arrears information: A debtor behind in payments is said to be in arrears.
Legal Terms In Camera: In Camera information: Refers to inside the judges rooms, or chambers.
Legal Terms In Limine: In Limine information: A pretrial motion, usually one filed to limit the nature and kind of evidence that may be presented, or seeks to limit from introduction some specific item of evidence.
Legal Terms Inadmissible: Inadmissible information: Not proper evidence and which cannot be admitted into evidence for consideration by the trier of fact.
Legal Terms Incapacity: Incapacity information: Having a lack of sufficient faculties, such that you are not competent and should not be allowed to enter into contract, make important decisions, etc.
Legal Terms Incarceration: Incarceration information: Jailed or imprisoned.
Legal Terms Inchoate: Inchoate information: Not perfectly formed or not complete. For example, a property interest that is not yet vested is said to be an inchoate interest in the property.
Legal Terms Incite: Incite information: So stir up to action, such as to incite a riot. Terms that incite are protected unless they are calculated to actually create the harm of riot.
Legal Terms Income: Income information: The increase, or gain, from employment or from payments received on or exchanged for assets.
Legal Terms Income Averaging: Income Averaging information: In tax matters, income spikes for a taxpayer experienced in single years may be averaged over several other tax years in order to lower the tax rate.
Legal Terms Income or Asset Management Account: Income or Asset Management Account Information: This type of account is useful in planning for retirement and in managing assets or income after retirement. The goal of this account is to consolidate the sources of income that a person has, and to supervise…
Legal Terms Income Tax Bracket: Income Tax Bracket information: The US uses a graduated tax system where tax rates increase as does taxable income. As a person goes from stage to stage on the income tax scale, they are going from one income tax bracket to another.
Legal Terms Income Tax Garnishment: Income Tax Garnishment Information: The Internal Revenue Service can attempt to collect a tax arrearage or penalty through an order issued to the taxpayer's employer for payment of wages due directly to the IRS. Other expected payments are also subject to…
Legal Terms Income Tax Liability: Income Tax Liability information: The amount of unpaid taxes due, or the amount of income tax that is owed after taking all allowable deductions and credits.
Legal Terms Incompetence: Incompetence information: Unable by lack of talent or wits, or incapable of conducting or even understanding one's own business or personal affairs. This can also refer to a disability by law, such as a child is incompetent to bring a suit, unless through a…
Legal Terms Incorporeal: Incorporeal information: An intangible thing, existing only in theory.