The prosecuting agency for juveniles in the District of Columbia.

Attorneys employed by the District of Columbia, headed by the DC Attorney General. This office represents the city in a wide range of legal proceedings.

A new. A trial de novo is a new trial of a case.

The person who died.

The judgment reached or given by a court of law.

A judgment of the court that explains what the existing law is or expresses the opinion of the court without the need for enforcement.

An order of the court. A final decree is one that fully and finally disposes of the litigation. An interlocutory decree is a preliminary order that often disposes of only part of a lawsuit.

That which tends to injure a person’s reputation. Libel is published defamation, whereas slander is spoken.

A failure to respond to a lawsuit within the specified time.

A judgment entered against a party who fails to appear in court or respond to the charges.

In a civil case, the person being sued. In a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.

A motion to dismiss a civil case because of the legal insufficiency of a complaint.

The city agency that is responsible for secure detention of youth, and for rehabilitation of those committed to its care.

Testimony of a witness that is taken outside of the courtroom and is transcribed so that it can be used in discovery and in the courtroom.

State laws that provide for the distribution of estate property of a person who dies without a will. Same as intestacy laws.

A locked, fully-secure facility to house juveniles, protecting the community as well as protecting them from harm to themselves or others.

Evidence that is based on something a person knows or saw happen that, if true, proves a fact.

The first questioning of witnesses by the party on whose behalf they are called.

Now called judgment as a matter of law. It occurs when the judge instructs the jury to return a specific verdict.

A form of discipline of a lawyer resulting in the loss (often permanently) of that lawyer's right to practice law.

To refuse a gift made in a will.

The pretrial process by which one party learns information from the opposing party that is related to the litigation.

The termination of a lawsuit. A dismissal without prejudice allows the party who initiated the lawsuit to re-file it at a later time. In contrast, a dismissal with prejudice prevents the party who initiated the lawsuit from ever re-filing it.

The hearing after a delinquency finding has been made at which a youth is either placed on probation or committed to the city.

To disagree. An appellate court opinion setting forth the minority view and outlining the disagreement of one or more judges with the decision of the majority.

The process of removing some minor criminal, traffic, or juvenile cases from the full judicial process, on the condition that the accused undergo some sort of rehabilitation or make restitution for damages.

A list of cases to be heard by a court or a log containing brief entries of court proceedings.

The Superior Court’s Family Court branch that handles divorce, custody, and visitation proceedings

The place where a person has his or her permanent legal home. A person may have several residences but only one domicile.

Putting a person on trial more than once for the same crime. It is forbidden by the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution.

The right of all persons to receive the guarantees and safeguards of the law and the judicial process. It includes such constitutional requirements as adequate notice, assistance of counsel, and the rights to remain silent, to a speedy and public trial, to an impartial jury, and to confront and secure witnesses.

A personal representative, named in a will, who administers an estate.

In bankruptcy proceedings, this refers to certain property protected by law from the reach of creditors.

A document or other item introduced as evidence during a trial or hearing.

Removal of a charge, responsibility or duty.

Official and formal erasure of a record or partial contents of a record. If you're looking to expunge or seal a criminal record, begin the process here.