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Habeas corpus
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.
Probable cause
A judicial finding that there exists reasonable grounds for belief that a person should be arrested or searched.
Objection
The act of taking exception to some statement or procedure in trial or other proceeding. Used to call the court's attention to improper evidence or procedure.
Contract
An oral or written agreement between two or more parties, which is enforceable by law.
Writ
A petition to a court for some extraordinary relief, such as asking the court to release a defendant from imprisonment.
Ne exeat
A writ that forbids the person to whom it is addressed to leave the country, the state or the jurisdiction of the court.
Guardian ad litem
In Utah State Court proceedings, a lawyer appointed by a court to look after the interests of an infant, child or incompetent person during court proceedings.
Public defender
In a civil tort action such as a medical malpractice suit, the plaintiff must show that an act or omission of the defendant was a proximate cause of the plaintiff's injury or loss. Similarly, in a criminal action, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant's action was the direct cause of the crime
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