Law lexicon
Adverse possession - Method of acquiring real property under certain conditions by possession for a statutory period.
Affiant - The person who makes and subscribes an affidavit.
Affidavit - A voluntary, written, or printed declaration of facts, confirmed by oath of the party making it before a person with authority to administer the oath.
Affirmation - A solemn and formal declaration that an affidavit is true. This is substituted for an oath in certain cases.
Affirmative defense - A defense raised in a responsive pleading (answer) relating a new matter as a defense to the complaint; affirmative defenses might include contributory negligence or estopped in civil actions; in criminal cases insanity, duress, or self-defense might be used.
Affirmed - In the practice of appellate courts, the word means that the decision of the trial court is correct.
Aggravated assault - An attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causing such injury, or an attempt to cause or purposely or knowingly cause bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.
Aggravated battery - The unlawful use of force against another with unusual or serious consequences such as the use of a dangerous weapon.
Agent - One who has authority to act for another.
Agreement -Mutual consent.
Aid and Abet - To actively, knowingly, or intentionally assist another person in the commission or attempted commission of a crime.
Alibi - A defense claim that the accused was somewhere else at the time a crime was committed.
Alien - A foreign-born person who has not qualified as a citizen of the country.
Allegation - A statement of the issues in a written document (a pleading) which a person is prepared to prove in court.
Source: Jurist International.
