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February 13, 2025Legal Jargon: Your Dictionary for Common Legal Terms
Have you ever heard legal terms that confused you? Lawyer-talk can seem confusing or make little to no sense to anyone else listening in. While legal jargon can be niche, it’s important to be educated on common legal terms in order to understand what may be going on in and around your life. We’ve created a short legal dictionary to help you get a better understanding of these common terms so that you can be better aware and prepared for any unexpected legal events in your life.
- Alimony - This is court-ordered financial support to be given to a spouse during a separation or after a divorce.
- Custody - Custody can have two meanings, so context is important. In one instance, it can mean having guardianship over someone else, and in another case it can mean imprisonment.
“You have been granted full custody of your daughter,” would be an example of the first definition, and, “You are being taken into custody,” is an example of the former definition. - Decree - In a court setting, you may hear the decree. This is the final vote from the judge and jury that explains the punishments and how it will all be carried out from there.
- Grounds - This term is important to know because it’s what a case weighs on. Grounds refers to the reason or reasons that a case has come to court in the first place.
- Hearing - A hearing provides someone the chance to state their case, in its simplest form. Hearings are typically initially held at lower level courts to be judged before moving along further in the judicial process.
- Parole - Parole might be something you have heard before, but have never gotten an official definition for. Parole is a temporary release of a prisoner based on a special set of circumstances. This is conditional, and it is granted before the end of a sentence has been finished. Parole violations result in harsh action.
- Plea Bargain - When a person pleads guilty in order to serve a lesser sentence or charge, this is called a plea bargain.
- Statutes- Statutes are written laws that have already been passed. These will often be referenced during trials and research phases to ensure that the law is followed and understood throughout the entirety of a case.
- Statutes - Statutes are written laws that have already been passed. These will often be referenced during trials and research phases to ensure that the law is followed and understood throughout the entirety of a case.
These are just a few of the many legal terms that lawyers, officers of the law, and other people involved in the judicial system might use. While there are many more common legal terms that would be helpful to know, finding a lawyer who will help you to understand is much more valuable.
Do your own research in the event that you or someone you know comes into contact with legal jargon. Having your own dictionary of terms can help you navigate and fully understand what you are hearing. At Intermountain Legal, we are experts in the field. If you find yourself feeling confused or intimidated by legal terminology and need some help deciphering it, give us a call. We are here to help you in your legal journey, and we aim to give you clarity throughout the process.
