Glossary

When a judge penalizes a party

A processing center that handles child support payments. It's called the State Disbursement Unit.

When a criminal record is hidden from most of the general public, but not law enforcement

A payment the tenant makes to the landlord at the start of a lease. It can be used if the tenant doesn't pay rent or damages the rental unit.

Giving court documents to someone

Notifying someone about a case by publishing a notice in a newspaper

To resolve a case before finishing a trial

An agreement by both sides in a lawsuit that settles all the issues of the case without going to trial

A county officer who can serve people with summons. They can evict someone with a court order.

Deciding important, long-term issues for the child and how they are raised. This includes their education, religion, and after-school activities.

A lawsuit asking only for money, for $10, 000 or less

A federal program that gives money to people who cannot work because of a disability

A number that the federal government gives to each U.S. citizen. It keeps track of their earnings and retirement benefits.

When a person follows someone, watches them outside their home or office, or tells them things they observed them doing

The right to file a lawsuit or make a particular legal claim based on how the person is affected.

Any written or oral list of facts in a court case

A lawyer who represents the state in a criminal case

Length of time to file a suit in court before a person is no longer legally able to

A court order that delays a court case or something else from going into effect

An agreement between opposing parties regarding a particular fact in a case. It can also be an agreement regarding an action in the case, like extending a deadline.

A court order requiring someone to show up in court, usually to give information

A tenant who will share the rental payments. They can also take over from the first tenant in the apartment.

A court decision made by a judge on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the court record without a trial

A notice to a defendant that a lawsuit against them was filed in a court and that the defendant has to show up in court

Visitation between a parent and a child. Done in the presence of another adult. It is now known as supervised parenting time.

A federal program that gives money to low-income elderly, blind and disabled people on a monthly basis

Parent who pays child support

The attack of another person which does not involve a weapon or severe injury

Any sexual act without the consent of the victim, including when the victim cannot give consent. Includes sexual assault with or without an object, sexual abuse, sodomy, and fondling

To use an object to penetrate the genital or anal opening of the body of another person. Done against that person's will or in when the victim cannot give consent.

Nonforcible sexual intercourse, including incest and statutory rape

Nonforcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent

The theft of goods from a retail store

To interfere with a sporting contest or event to get the upper hand in gambling

To interfere with a sporting contest or event. Done for the purpose of gaining a gambling advantage to get the upper hand while gambling.

An offense that is illegal for underage persons, but not for adults

A fixed dollar amount that reduces the income a person is taxed on. They have the option of claiming the standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. But, they can't claim both in the same year.

A temporary stop of a law

When a person commits an act of sexual penetration by force or threat of force. Done without the consent of the victim. This includes when the victim cannot give consent.

Touching or fondling a person's sex organs, anus, or breast directly or through clothing. Can also be any part of the body of a child under 13 years of age. It includes any transfer of semen upon any part of the clothed or unclothed body.