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chambers A judge's office, typically including work space for the judge's law clerks and secretary. capital offense A crime punishable by death. case law The law as reflected in the written decisions of the courts. chief judge The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court; chief judges are determined by seniority. clerk of court An officer appointed by the judges of the court to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court, maintain court records, handle financial matters, and provide other administrative support to the court. common law The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States that relies on the articulation of legal principles in a historical succession of judicial decisions. Common law principles can be changed by legislation. complaint A written statement filed by the plaintiff that initiates a civil case, stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant and requesting relief from the court. contract An agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing. conviction A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant. counsel Legal advice; a term also used to refer to the lawyers in a case. court Government entity authorized to resolve legal disputes. Judges sometimes use "court" to refer to themselves in the third person, as in "the court has read the briefs." court reporter A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court, generally by using a stenographic machine, shorthand or audio recording, and then produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request. |
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