Case number
A number assigned to a case that is on every paper filed in the case
Certified copy
A copy of a document that can be used instead of the original because an official has approved it as a true and accurate copy by signing it.
Certified mail
A document delivery service such as the US Postal Service that sends a party a receipt as proof that the documents were mailed and delivered
Child support
Money paid by a parent to help another parent support a minor child or an adult child with a disability
Child support order
A decision by a court telling a parent to pay child support
Circuit clerk
The office that takes care of files and documents for circuit court cases
Circuit court
The lowest level of court in Illinois
Citation to discover assets
An order from the court. Asks the person to come to court and be questioned under oath. The court asks how much money they have and property they own.
Civil cover sheet
A form filed by the plaintiff with the complaint at the start of a lawsuit
Civil procedure
Rules a party must follow when they are participating in a lawsuit
Claimant
A person who uses a court to demand something from another person
Codefendant
A person who is charged with the same crime or sued in the same case
Cohabitants
People who live together
Collateral
Property a person promises to give up if they do not repay a loan
Compensation
Payment for work done or damage suffered
Complaint
A written statement to start a lawsuit that says what the defendant did
Complainant
Another word for plaintiff or a person that files a lawsuit
Consent
When someone gives permission for someone else to do something
Consent foreclosure
An agreement for land to be foreclosed or sold by the lender
Consortium
Benefits, rights, and duties enjoyed in a family relationship. These are typically provided by a spouse.
Contempt of court
When someone violates a court order or disrespects the court
Contested case
When both sides to a case present opposing arguments and evidence
Continuance
When the judge gives additional preparation time before or during a trial
Contingent fee
When a lawyer is paid from the money their client won or recieved
Contributory negligence
When someone's own acts resulted in them being harmed
Conviction
When someone is declared guilty of a crime by a court
Co-payments
Money paid for health care in addition to what the insurer pays
Cosign
To sign a loan with another person and share the responsibility that it will be paid back
Cotenants
Two or more people renting the same property
Counsel
Another name for a lawyer
Counterclaim
A claim in a court case brought by the responding side (defendant). It is against the side who started the case (plaintiff).
Court costs
The fees for going to court, including filing, serving, and getting transcripts
Courtesy copies
A copy of a document given to the judge
Creditor
Someone who is owed money
Criminal Identification Act
Defines expungement and sealing rules for Illinois.
Criminal homicide
An umbrella term for causing the death of another person; includes murder, non-negligent (voluntary) manslaughter, negligent (involuntary) manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter.
Curfew and loitering laws
Offenses in which a minor violates a local curfew or loitering ordinance.
Crimes against persons
Crimes whose victims are people, such as murder or rape, rather than property, such as robbery or burglary.
Commercial sex acts
To induce a person into participating in prostitution through coercion or if the victim is under 18 years of age.
Committed
Includes juveniles in placement in the facility as part of a court order.
Curfew violation
Violation of an ordinance forbidding persons below a certain age from being in public places during set hours.
Civil court
A court where people or businesses bring problems in front of a judge. Civil courts are different from criminal courts, where a defendant is accused of a crime by the state.
Criminal court
A court where a person is accused of a crime in front of a judge. The other side of the case is the State of Illinois, represented by a State's Attorney. The person accused is called the defendant. Criminal courts are different from civil courts, where two people or businesses can bring problems in front of a judge.
