Law lexicon
Bench - The seat occupied by the judge. More broadly, the court itself.
Bench trial - (Also known as court trial.) Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts.
Bench warrant - An order issued by a judge for the arrest of a person.
Beneficiary - Someone named to receive property or benefits in a will. In a trust, a person who is to receive benefits from the trust.
Bequeath - To give a gift to someone through a will.
Bequests - Gifts made in a will.
Best evidence - Primary evidence; the best evidence available. Evidence short of this is "secondary." That is, an original letter is "best evidence," and a photocopy is "secondary evidence."
Beyond a reasonable doubt - The standard in a criminal case requiring that the jury be satisfied to a moral certainty that every element of a crime has been proven by the prosecution. This standard of proof does not require that the state establish absolute certainty by eliminating all doubt, but it does require that the evidence be so conclusive that all reasonable doubts are removed from the mind of the ordinary person.
Bill of particulars - A statement of the details of the charge made against the defendant.
Source: Jurist International
