At Torres Law, we do our best to take the mystery out of legal services. We understand that to the untrained ear, some legal terms can sound like a different language. That being said, we have listed simple definitions for some common legal terms you may have heard while speaking with your DUI lawyer in Seminole County, FL.
Admissible: A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases.
Affidavit: A written or printed statement made under oath.
Burden of proof: The duty to prove disputed facts. In civil cases, a plaintiff generally has the burden of proving his or her case. In criminal cases, the government has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt.
Complaint: A written statement that begins a civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff details the claims against the defendant.
Counsel: Legal advice; a term also used to refer to the lawyers in a case.
Defendant: An individual or business against whom a lawsuit is filed.
Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty which resulted in harm to the plaintiff.
Lien: A charge on specific property that is designed to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation. A debtor may still be responsible for a lien after a discharge.
Plaintiff: A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.
Settlement: The payment of compensation by one party in at least partial satisfaction of the other party’s claim.
