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.