Parent Infant Trauma
Syndrome (P.I.T.S.) - See
Battered Child Syndrome
parole
- A procedure in which a parole board
releases a convict on good behavior before the maximum sentence expires.
parol
evidence - Oral or verbal
evidence (rather than written). The parol evidence rule limits the admissibility of parol evidence which would
directly contradict the clear meaning of terms of a written contract.
parties
- The persons who are actively involved
in the prosecution or defense of a legal proceeding, including the plaintiff or prosecution, the defendant and any
"third party defendant".
peremptory
challenge - Each party to a
suit tried to a jury has the right to peremptorily "challenge" (reject) a certain number of prospective jurors
without giving a reason. By contrast, the parties have unlimited rights to challenge jurors for good cause, but the
judge must approve "for cause challenges." Parties may not exercise peremptory challenges on the basis of race or
gender.
perjury
- Lying while under
oath.
petition
- A civil pleading filed to initiate a
matter in Juvenile Court, setting forth the alleged grounds for the court to take jurisdiction of the case and
asking the court to do so and intervene.
petit
jury - The ordinary jury of
twelve (or fewer) persons for the trial of a civil or criminal case. So called to distinguish it from the grand
jury.
plaintiff
- A person who files a
lawsuit.
plea
- The defendant's formal response to a
criminal charge (guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere, not guilty by reason of insanity, and guilty and mentally
ill).
plea
bargaining - A process whereby
the prosecutor and defense attorney negotiate a mutually satisfactory disposition of the case. The court and the
defendant must approve of any settlements. For example, a guilty plea may be exchanged for a lesser charge or a
sentencing recommendation, or for dismissal of one or more of the charges in a multi-count information, or for
dismissal of another case.
pleading
- The formal allegations by the parties
of their respective claims and defenses.
polling the
jury - A practice whereby the
jurors are asked individually on the record whether they agreed, and still agree, to the verdict.
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