MISSOURI STATE ARCHIVES
Man's Best Friend:
The Old Drum Story

Glossary of Terms

affidavit
a written statement made under oath.
affirmed
upheld to be true.
alleging
to state something is true without proof.
appeal
to ask the judge of a higher court to review the decision made by a lower court.
burden of proof
responsibility for proving a charge.
circumstantial evidence
proof of facts not bearing directly on the issue in question; all evidence except eyewitness testimony.
continued
postponed or suspended until a later time.
counsel
a lawyer in a case.
Court of Common Pleas
a court to hear civil cases between common citizens.
cross-examination
to question a witness called by the opposing side for the purpose of discrediting the witness’ testimony.
defendant
person charged with breaking the law.
deposition
a statement under oath, taken down in writing, to be used in court in place of the spoken testimony of a witness.
eulogy
a speech or writing in praise of a deceased person.
evidence
data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.
judgment
a decision by a judge or court.
jurisdiction
the legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
jury
a group of people sworn to deliver a verdict in a case.
Justice of the Peace
a low ranking judge with jurisdiction over minor criminal offenses and civil disputes.
litigation
a lawsuit.
motion to amend
a written statement asking that the court allow changes to the original request or charges. 
motion to dismiss
a formal request made to a judge for termination of the trial.
plaintiff
the party that starts a suit in a court.
summons
a call or written request to appear before a court or a judicial officer.
subpoena
a court order requiring an individual to testify in court.
testimony
the statement of a witness under oath, usually in court.
transcript
the written record of all proceedings, including testimony, in a trial, hearing or deposition.
venire
a writ issued by a judge to a sheriff directing the summons of prospective jurors.
verdict
conclusion or judgment of a jury.
witness
one who testifies in court about a first hand account of something seen, heard, or experienced.
writ
a formal document in letter form issued by a court.