| Question | Answer |
| a priori | a term used in logic to denote an argument founded on analogy |
| affidavit | a written or printed declaration or statement of facts, made voluntarily, and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it, taken before a person having authority to administer such an oath or affirmation |
| allocution | an unsworn statement from a convicted defendent to the sentencing judge or jury in which the defendent can ask for mercy, explain his or her conduct, apologize for the crime, or say anything else in an effort to lessen the impending sentence |
| American Bar Association | a national association of lawyers that improves services and the function of justice |
| amicus curiae | "friend of the court" |
| brief | a written statement prepared by an attorney arguing a case in point |
| case law | the collection of reported cases that form the body of law within a given jurisdiction |
| clear and present danger rule | speech which incites to unlawful action falls outside constitutional protection |
| coercion | by force of arms or threat to compel another to act against his or her own free will |
| common law | the law background of England and the American colonies before the American Revolution |
| conspiracy | a combination of two or more persons formed for the purpose of committing, by their joint efforts, some kind of criminal act |
| criminal contempt | insulting language and/or acts of violence in the presence of the court |
| civil contempt | failure to follow a court order without disrespect; punishable by fine |
| counsel | an attorney or advice and assistance given by one person to another |
| defendant | the party accused in a criminal case from whom relief is sought in a criminal proceeding |