amnesty, n. A pardon extended by the government to a group or class of persons, usu. for a political offense; the act of a sovereign power officially forgiving certain classes of persons who are subject to trial but have not yet been convicted (the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act provided amnesty for undocumented aliens […]
sequestration (see-kwes-tray-sh[schwa]n), n. 1. The process by which property is removed from the possessor pending the outcome of a dispute in which two or more parties contend for it. Cf. ATTACHMENT(1); GARNISHMENT. [Cases: Sequestration 1. C.J.S. Sequestration §§ 2–3, 5.] conventional sequestration. The parties’ voluntary deposit of the property at issue in a lawsuit. judicial
reprimand, n. In professional responsibility, a form of disciplinary action — imposed after trial or formal charges — that declares the lawyer’s conduct improper but does not limit his or her right to practice law; a mild form of lawyer discipline that does not restrict the lawyer’s ability to practice law. [Cases: Attorney and Client
lex Sempronia (leks sem-proh-nee-[schwa]). [Latin] Roman law. A law of 122 B.C. transferring the duty of jury service from the senators to the equestrians (knights). • The control of the juries in the quaestiones perpetuae, particularly in extortion (repetundae) trials, was one of the key areas of political conflict in the late Republic.
open court. 1. A court that is in session, presided over by a judge, attended by the parties and their attorneys, and engaged in judicial business. • Open court usu. refers to a proceeding in which formal entries are made on the record. The term is distinguished from a court that is hearing evidence in
constitutional-fact doctrine. 1. The rule that federal courts are not bound by an administrative agency’s findings of fact when the facts involve whether the agency has exceeded constitutional limitations on its power, esp. regarding personal rights. • The courts reviewed the facts de novo to afford protection of constitutional rights. Although it has not been
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private judging. A type of alternative dispute resolution whereby the parties hire a private individual to hear and decide a case. • This process may occur as a matter of contract between the parties or in connection with a statute authorizing such a process. — Also termed rent-a-judging. “In contrast [to arbitration], private judging is
list, n. 1. A roll or register, as of names. 2. A docket of cases ready for hearing or trial. See CALENDAR(2); DOCKET. list, vb. 1. To set down or enter (information) in a list. 2. To register (a security) on an exchange so that it may be publicly traded. 3. To place (property) for
developing country. Int’l law. A country that is not as economically or politically advanced as the main industrial powers. • Developing countries are located mostly in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Latin and South America. — Also termed developing state; underdeveloped country; less-developed country; Third World country. “Pertinent terminology has undergone extensive
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gag order. 1. A judge’s order directing parties, attorneys, witnesses, or journalists to refrain from publicly dis-cussing the facts of a case. • When directed to the press, such an order is generally unconstitutional under the First Amendment. [Cases: Criminal Law 633(1); Federal Civil Procedure 1951; Trial 18, 20. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 564, 1134,