temporary restraining order - See preliminary injunction.  

termination of parental rights - A judicial proceeding freeing a child from all custody and control by parents, so the child can be adopted by others.  

testate - One who has died leaving a will or one who has made a will.  

testator - The person who makes a will. (female: testatrix)  

testimony - Information or evidence given by a witness under oath.  

tort - An injury or wrong committed, either with or without force, to the person or property of another, for which civil liability may be imposed.  

transcript - The official record of proceedings in a trial or hearing.  

trial - A judicial examination of issues between parties to an action.  

trial by declaration or informal traffic hearing - Persons who receive a traffic citation have an option to appear before a judge in an informal hearing called Trial by Declaration. At this hearing, there are no prosecutors, police or witnesses present. The person simply tells the judge his/her side of the story and the judge takes what action he/she determines is appropriate. If the defendant disagrees with the judge at the informal hearing, he/she may request and receive a formal trial.  

trial de novo - A new trial or retrial held in an appellate court in which the whole case is heard as if no trial had been heard in the lower court or administrative agency.