Article 2.3 Transfers of Structured Settlement Payment Rights

Most Misunderstood Legal Courthouse Terms  A-C

Acquittal - Finding of not guilty

Adjournment - Postponing or recessing a court hearing

Adjudicate - To exercise judicial authority in settling a case

Affidavit - A written statement given voluntarily and under oath

Answer - The defendant's response to a plaintiff's allegations in a complaint

Arraignment - Proceeding in which an accused person is brought before a judge to hear the charges and or enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.  Bail is set at this hearing.

Bail - Money or other security given to secure a person's release from custody, and guarantee his or her later appearance in court.

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

Bond - A written statement that obligates one person to pay a specified amount of money to another if a certain condition occurs

Burden of Proof - In criminal, the prosecution has the burden of proving a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  In civil, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the case by preponderance of evidence

Closing Arguments - Lawyers' final statement to the judge and/or jury after all parties have presented their evidence

Complaint - Civil - A document filed by the plaintiff containing a statement of the facts constituting the cause of action and a demand for judgment.  It's the beginning of a civil action

Complaint - Criminal - A document filed by the prosecutor describing the alleged offenses committed by the defendant

Conservatorship - Proceeding to appoint a manager for a person who is either physically or mentally unable to care for himself or herself

Courtesy of Los Angeles Superior Court 2014

Structured Settlement Attorney Eugene Ahtirski