§ Legal Dictionary
Legal Dictionary Plain-English explanations of legal terms, court concepts, summons language, and New York legal procedure.
Legal information only — not legal advice. B-Legal is not a law firm and use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed attorney before acting.
ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal) Sentencing & Outcomes
A court resolution that adjourns a case for a period of time — typically 6 months to 1 year — with the understanding that if the defendant stays out of trouble,…
Adjournment Courtroom Terms
A postponement of a court proceeding to a later date. When a case is adjourned, the current court date ends and a new date is scheduled. Adjournments can be req…
Affidavit Legal Documents
A written statement of facts that the signer swears is true under penalty of perjury. Affidavits are used in court to present evidence, support motions, and est…
Appearance Ticket Criminal Procedure
A written notice issued by police directing a person to appear in court on a specified date to answer a charge. It is similar to a Desk Appearance Ticket. The p…
Arraignment Criminal Law
Your first formal court appearance after being charged with a crime. The judge reads the charges against you, you enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contes…
Arrest Processing NYPD / Procedure
The administrative and legal steps that occur after a person is arrested, before they appear in court. This includes fingerprinting, photographing, running crim…
Arrest Warrant Criminal Procedure
A court order directing police to arrest a specific person. It is issued when a judge finds probable cause to believe a person committed a crime but that person…
Assault Charges & Offenses
Intentionally, recklessly, or negligently causing physical injury to another person. In New York, assault ranges from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B felony …
Assigned Counsel Parties & Roles
A private attorney appointed by the court to represent an indigent defendant. Unlike Legal Aid staff attorneys, assigned counsel are private lawyers paid by the…
Bench Warrant Criminal Procedure
A warrant issued directly by a judge — from the bench — ordering the arrest of a person who failed to appear in court or violated a court order. Unlike an arres…
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Criminal Law
The highest standard of proof in the legal system. It is the level of certainty the prosecution must achieve to convict someone of a crime. It does not mean abs…
Burden of Proof Evidence
The obligation on one party in a legal proceeding to prove a claim or fact. The party with the burden of proof must present enough evidence to meet the required…
Burglary Charges & Offenses
Unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime inside. You do not have to actually commit the crime — the intent alone, combined with unlawful…
Central Booking NYPD / Procedure
The facility where people arrested in New York City are held and processed before their arraignment. Central booking is where fingerprints are run through state…
Civil Liability Civil Law
Legal responsibility in a civil (non-criminal) case. When someone is civilly liable, they can be ordered by a court to pay money damages to the person they wron…
Civil Summons Summons / OATH
A legal notice ordering a person to appear in court or respond to a lawsuit in a civil matter. It initiates a civil proceeding. A civil summons is not a crimina…
Complainant Parties & Roles
The person who reports a crime or files a formal complaint with the police or court. In a criminal case, the complainant is typically the alleged victim or the …
Complaint Legal Documents
In criminal court, the initial charging document that starts a case. It states what crime the defendant is accused of and the basic facts supporting the accusat…
Conditional Discharge Sentencing & Outcomes
A sentence that releases a convicted defendant without probation supervision or jail, but subject to conditions set by the court — such as staying out of troubl…
Criminal Mischief Charges & Offenses
Intentionally damaging someone else's property. Also known as vandalism. The charge ranges from a misdemeanor to a felony based on the dollar value of the damag…
Definitions are simplified for education. Legal meanings can vary by jurisdiction, context, and case facts.