legal education and practice

abstract of record

An abstract of record is a summary of a trial that offers the key details for the appellate court to consider, such as the facts, all proceedings in the case to date, the trial court's decision, and the legal issues to be determined. To...

abstracter

An abstracter is someone who collects or researches information or summarizes such information in order to maintain data or records.

See also: Abstract, Abstract of Title

[Last updated in February of 2022...

abuse

Abuse is an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse (see below).

Abuse is also to misuse something - e.g., abuse...

abuse excuse

Abuse excuse is defined as a self-defense claim which is usually used in criminal cases, stating that a defendant is incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong or controlling their impulses because of being subjected to prolonged...

acceleration theory

Acceleration theory is a subsection of causation in criminal law in which a third party’s action, or a second defendant’s actions, speed up the effects of a primary defendant’s actions. For example, defendant A shoots the victim, which would...

acceptance

Acceptance means to assent to the terms of an offer. Some common uses of the term “acceptance” in a legal sense include:

In the context of contracts, acceptance refers to one person’s compliance with the terms of an offer made by...

acceptance of service

Acceptance of service is defined as an agreement by the defendant (or the defendant's attorney) to accept papers or a complaint without having the papers served by a process server or a sheriff. Acceptance of service is accomplished by...

access

Access is the right to use, communicate, or approach something or someone. Some common usages of the term “access” in a legal sense include:

In the context of copyright, the term “access” refers to the ability of a potential...

accessory

An accessory is someone who aided or contributed to the commission or concealment of a crime. There are two categories of accessories: accessory before-the-fact and accessory after-the-fact. Unlike an accomplice, an...

accomplice

An accomplice is defined as a person who knowingly, voluntarily, or intentionally gives assistance to another in (or in some cases fails to prevent another from) the commission of a crime. An accomplice is criminally liable to the same extent...

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