Legal terms starting with C

The legal and mental ability to enter into a binding contract.

An older legal term for sexual intercourse, often used in statutes defining sexual assault or rape.

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

A formal legal order commanding someone to stop a specific activity immediately.

A request to remove a juror based on bias or inability to be impartial.

A legal objection that the jury pool itself is biased or improperly selected, rather than objecting to individual jurors.

A private meeting between the judge and lawyers, held in the judge's office rather than open court.

A formal accusation that a person committed a specific crime.

The judge's instructions to jurors about the law they must apply to the facts of the case.

An official paper that formally accuses someone of committing a crime.

A trust that provides income to beneficiaries while ultimately donating the remaining assets to charity.

Personal property that is movable, as opposed to real estate or land.

A court's decision about which parent has the right to care for and make decisions for a child.

Court-ordered payments from one parent to the other for a child's living expenses.

A contract provision stating which state's or country's laws will govern the interpretation and enforcement of the agreement.

Evidence that suggests guilt indirectly rather than proving it directly.

Evidence that implies a fact indirectly rather than proving it directly through eyewitness testimony.

Government seizure of property suspected of involvement in criminal activity, without requiring a criminal conviction.

Disobedience of a court order intended to coerce compliance rather than punish the offender.

Fundamental freedoms and protections guaranteed to all people, including equal treatment and freedom from discrimination.

A lawsuit where one person or group sues on behalf of many people with similar claims.

A written amendment or addition to an existing will.

Forcing someone to do something against their will through threats or pressure.

A separate side agreement made alongside the main contract, often oral or informal.

A legal challenge to a conviction or judgment made in a separate proceeding, rather than through direct appeal.

A legal rule preventing someone from relitigating a fact already decided in a prior case.

A relative who is not a direct descendant, such as a sibling, aunt, uncle, or cousin.

A secret agreement between two or more people to defraud or deceive others or to accomplish an unlawful purpose.

The appearance or claim of legal authority, often used when someone abuses power while pretending to act lawfully.

The official start of a lawsuit or criminal case in court.

A marriage created by mutual agreement and cohabitation, without a formal ceremony or license.

Property acquired during marriage that is owned equally by both spouses, regardless of who earned it.

A rule that reduces damages based on the victim's own percentage of fault.

Money paid to reimburse a party for actual losses directly caused by a breach or wrongdoing.

A court proceeding to determine whether a defendant can understand trial and assist in their own defense.

A defendant's mental and legal ability to understand trial proceedings and assist in their own defense.

A formal written accusation that starts a criminal case.

A formal legal document filed to start a divorce case in family court.

A formal request to a court to order someone to stop or start a specific action.

The legal right to carry a hidden firearm in public, typically requiring a permit.

The act of hiding or keeping secret something that should be disclosed, especially in legal matters.

Contract obligations that must be performed at the same time by both parties.

An event that must happen (or not happen) for a contract obligation to take effect.

Mutual promises in a contract that must be performed at the same time by both parties.

An event that must happen before a party's obligation to perform becomes due.

An event that, if it occurs, ends or excuses performance under a contract.

An acceptance that adds new terms or conditions, which may be treated as a rejection and counter-offer.

An event that must happen before a party's obligation under a contract kicks in.

An event that, if it happens, ends a party's obligation or allows them to cancel the contract.

A voluntary admission by someone that they committed a crime.

A contract provision requiring parties to keep certain information secret and not disclose it to outsiders.

The act of keeping someone in custody or restricting their freedom of movement.

Money awarded for indirect losses that result from a breach but are not the direct consequence of it.

A clause in which parties agree not to claim indirect losses (like lost profits) resulting from a breach.

Something of value exchanged by each party to make a contract binding.

A replacement for the usual exchange of value needed to make a contract binding.

An agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, plus an overt act in furtherance of that agreement.

A requirement implied by law that must be satisfied before a party's duty to perform arises.

Willful disobedience or disrespect toward a court or judge that disrupts justice.

A court-approved delay or postponement of a scheduled hearing, trial, or other legal proceeding.

Ambiguous contract language is interpreted against the party who wrote it.

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties to do or not do something.

The process by which parties create a legally binding agreement.

The process of determining what a contract's words and terms actually mean.

A mutual agreement between parties to change the terms of an existing contract.

A take-it-or-leave-it agreement where one party has no meaningful chance to negotiate the terms.

The parties' mutual intention to be legally bound by their agreement.

A deadline for filing a lawsuit that the parties themselves agree to in their contract, often shorter than the legal statute of limitations.

A plaintiff's own carelessness that partially caused their injury, reducing their recovery.

A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime after trial or plea.

A legal business entity that can be held criminally responsible for certain acts.

A response to an offer that changes one or more terms instead of accepting the original offer.

The pattern of past transactions between the same parties, used to interpret current contract terms.

How the parties have actually carried out the contract in practice, which can clarify ambiguous terms.

A binding promise in a contract to do or not do something.

A third party who benefits from a contract because it pays off their debt.

A court that handles cases involving alleged violations of criminal law and determines guilt or innocence.

The mental state or purpose required to commit a crime.

Reckless disregard for human life or safety that causes serious harm.

Punishment that is excessively harsh, torturous, or shocks the conscience under the Eighth Amendment.

Punishment that is excessively harsh or shocks the conscience under the Eighth Amendment.

The defendant's guilty mind or criminal intent required to establish liability for a crime.

Physical control or confinement of a person by law enforcement or the state.