Acquittal: A verdict in a criminal trial in which the defendant is found not guilty of the charge.

Appeal: A legal action in which a litigant asks a higher court to review and reverse a lower court's decision.

Appellant: The litigant who brings the appeal.

Arraignment:  A defendants initial appearance before the court for a traffic or criminal offense.  At this hearing the defendant is advised of their rights, the nature of the complaint that has been filed against them and the potential penalties they could face if they are convicted of the offense.  The defendant can ask for a short continuance if they wish to speak with an attorney.  If the defendant does not want to speak with an attorney then they are expected to enter a plea; plea options are Not Guilty, No Contest or Guilty.  For more information see the Traffic\Criminal Court Guide.

Bail: A thing of value -- for example, money or the deed to a house -- given to the court to ensure a defendant's appearance in court. If the defendant appears at all court proceedings as required, the bail is returned at the end of the case, subject to all outstanding costs being paid. If the defendant fails to appear as required, the bail may be kept by the court.

Bench: The place where the judge sits. It also is another word for the court itself.

Bench Trial: A trial decided by a judge instead of a jury.

Burden of Proof: The duty of a litigant to prove or disprove an allegation in court.

Case Law: The body of law created by judges' written opinions.

Conviction: A verdict in a civil or criminal trial in which the defendant is found guilty of the charge.

Damages: Money awarded to a plaintiff in a civil case. Damages are assessed against the defendant who is found by the jury or judge to have been responsible for the plaintiff's injuries. See Injury.

Defense Attorney: The lawyer who represents the defendant in any legal proceeding.

Desk Review:  An action by court personnel to review the defendant’s payments towards outstanding fines.  This is not a formal hearing therefore the defendant does not need to appear.  If payments remain consistent the defendant will remain on desk review.  If the defendant misses payments then the defendant will be reset for a Status Conference hearing and will be required to appear.  Notices for Status Conference hearings will be mailed to the defendants last known address.

Docket: A list of cases on a court's calendar, or schedule.

Evidence: The information used in court to prove or disprove an allegation.

Grand Jury: Twenty-three people impaneled to hear evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine if there is enough evidence to bring a person to trial for a crime.

Hearing: A court proceeding in which evidence is presented to determine facts that are in dispute.

Hung Jury: A jury that is deadlocked and cannot agree on a verdict.

Indictment: A formal, written accusation issued by a grand jury charging someone with a crime. An indictment is not proof of a crime.

Injury: Any legal harm, wrong or damage done to a person's body, property, rights or reputation, and that the law recognizes as deserving of redress.

Jury: See Grand jury and Petit jury.

Jury Charge: The judge's address to the jury after all testimony has been heard in a trial. The charge explains the law that the jury is to apply in deciding on a verdict.

Lawsuit: A civil action brought in court in which a plaintiff seeks a remedy provided by the law, such as damages.

Litigant: Someone who is a party to litigation. The litigant can be the side bringing the lawsuit or the side being sued.

Litigation: A legal dispute between parties argued in a court.

Mistrial: A trial that is terminated by the judge before a verdict is returned. For example, a judge might declare a mistrial if the jury is deadlocked and cannot reach a decision.

Opinion: The written explanation of a court's decision in a matter.

Petit Jury: A group of citizens summoned to and sworn by the court to hear evidence and render a verdict in a trial.

Plaintiff: The party who has initiated the litigation.

Plea Bargain: An agreement between a criminal defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant admits having committed a crime. In return, the prosecutor asks the judge to impose a less severe sentence than had the defendant been convicted at a trial. The judge is not bound by the terms of a plea bargain. A plea bargain ensures that a guilty defendant is punished.

Pro Se: An individual who appears on their own behalf without a lawyer. 

Prosecutor: The lawyer who represents the State or City in a traffic/criminal case.

Settlement: An agreement between the plaintiff and defendant in a civil case to resolve the dispute without a trial.

Sentence: The punishment a judge imposes on a person convicted of a crime.

Status Conference Hearing: 

1)  For Traffic/Criminal cases a Status Conference hearing is a mandatory hearing.  At this hearing the defendant appears before court personnel and reviews their progress towards paying on their fines and establishes a reasonable payment plan for the remaining balance.  If regular and consistent payments are made defendants will be moved to a desk review hearing.

2) For Civil cases a status hearing is scheduled once a defendant files bankruptcy and is waiting for the bankruptcy to be finalized.  Neither party is required to appear for the hearing, however the Court does expect to receive updates from one of the parties regarding the status of the bankruptcy.  If neither party appears or updates the court then the case will be dismissed.

Statutory Law: Laws, or statutes, enacted by legislatures, such as the Ohio State Legislature or the United States Congress.

Subpoena: An official notice requiring someone's appearance in court.

Testify: The act by which a witness offers testimony in court.

Testimony: Statements made by witnesses in court.

Verdict: The decision of the jury in a jury trial, or of the judge in a bench trial.

Witness: Someone who offers evidence in court.