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Malfeasance
Unlawful conduct.
Redirect examination
A kind of bail, consisting of a written promise to appear in court when required. Generally, when there is no good reason to suppose the accused in a criminal case will not appear when required or the accused is not a significant risk to the community, he or she will be released on his or her own recognizance.
Petit jury
The ordinary jury of twelve (or fewer) persons for the trial of a civil or criminal case. So called to distinguish it from the grand jury.
Privileged communications
Confidential communications to certain persons that are protected by law against any disclosure, including forced disclosure in legal proceedings. Communications between lawyer and client, physician and patient, psychotherapist and patient, priest, minister or rabbi and penitent are typically privileged.
Pro se
A sentence releasing a convicted criminal into the community or a treatment facility under the supervision of a probation officer, requiring compliance with certain conditions. If the conditions are not met, the court orders an "Order to Show Cause" hearing as to why probation should not be revoked and the sentence imposed.
Summons
A notice to the named person that an action has been commenced against him in court and that he is required to appear, on the day named, and answer the complaint.
Concurrent jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of two or more courts, each authorized to deal with the same subject matter.
Negligence
Failure to exercise the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in the same circumstances.
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