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Today's Terms
Habeas corpus
Definition:
Latin phrase meaning "you have the body"; a civil proceeding used to review the legality of a prisoner's confinement in criminal cases. Habeas corpus actions are commonly used as a means of reviewing state or federal criminal convictions. The petitioner alleges the convictions violated state or federal constitutional rights. State habeas proceedings start in state District Court; federal habeas proceedings start in federal District Court. Lower court decisions may be appealed to appellate courts.
Dispositional report
Definition:
In Juvenile Court, a written report relating to the child's mental, physical, and social history, submitted by the juvenile probation department or other designated agency to assist the judge in determining a proper disposition
Cross-claim
Definition:
In a civil proceeding, if there are two or more defendants, one defendant can raise a claim against another defendant.
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