Law Lexicon
Expert testimony - Testimony given in relation to some scientific, technical or professional matter by experts, i.e., person qualified to speak authoritatively by reason of their special training, skill or familiarity with the subject.
Ex post facto - After the fact, ordinarily used in reference to constitutional prohibition on ex post facto laws. For example, a person cannot be punished for conduct committed before a criminal law was enacted.
Expungement - The process by which the record of criminal conviction is destroyed or sealed.
Extradition - The surrender of an accused criminal by one state to the jurisdiction of another.
Extraordinary writ - A writ, often issued by an appellate court, making available remedies not regularly within the powers of lower courts. They include writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition and quo warranto.
Fair market value - The value for which a reasonable seller would sell an item of property and for which a reasonable buyer would buy it.
False arrest - Any unlawful physical restraint of another's personal liberty, whether or not carried out by a peace officer.
False pretenses - Representation of some fact or circumstance which is not true and is calculated to mislead, whereby a person obtains another's money or goods.
Family law - Those areas of the law pertaining to families, i.e., marriage, divorce, child custody, juvenile, paternity, etc.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - A federal agency which investigates all violations of federal laws.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - A federal agency which regulates interstate and foreign communications by wire and radio.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - An agency which insures deposits in banking institutions in the event of financial failure.
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service - An agency which provides mediators to assist in labor-management disputes.
Federal Register - A daily publication which contains federal administrative rules and regulations.
Fee simple absolute - The most complete, unlimited form of ownership of real property.
Felony - A serious criminal offense. Under federal law any offense punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
