| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Power of attorney | Formal authorization of a person to act in the interests of another person. |
| Praecipe | A writ commanding the Clerk of Court to issue a subpoena or summons. |
| Pre-injunction | Court order requiring action or forbidding action until a decision can be made whether to issue a permanent injunction. If differs from a temporary restraining order. |
| Pre-sentence investigation | A background investigation of the defendant by the Department of Corrections, returnable to the sentencing judge on or before a certain date. |
| Pre-Trial conference | A meeting between the judge and the lawyers involved in a lawsuit to narrow the issues in the suit, agree on what will be presented at the trial, and make a final effort to settle the case without a trial. |
| Pre-trial intervention | A county program to aid certain qualifying defendants by diverting them from court proceedings upon successful completion of the program. |
| Pre-trial release (PTR) | Release by sheriff's personnel after arrest and before any court appearance, setting a court appearance date. |
| Precedent | A previously decided case that guides the decision of future cases. |
| Preemptory challenge | A challenge that may be used to reject a certain number of prospective jurors without giving a reason. |
| Preliminary hearing | Another term for arraignment. |
| Preponderance of the evidence | Greater weight of the evidence; the common standard of proof in civil cases. |
| Presentment | Declaration or document issued by a grand jury that either makes a neutral report or notes misdeeds by officials charged with specified public duties. |
| Pretermitted child | A child born after a will is executed, who is not provided for by the will. Most states have laws that provide for a share of estate property to go to such children. |
| Prime facie | On the face of it - factually |
| Pro bono publico | For the public good. Lawyers representing clients without a fee are said to be working pro bono publico. |
| Pro se | In one's own behalf. |
| Probable cause | Reasonable belief that a crime was committed and that the named person committed the crime. |
| Probate | The court-supervised process by which a will is determined to be the will-maker's final statement regarding how the will maker wants his/her property distributed. It also confirms the appointment of the personal representative of the estate. Probate also means the process by which assets are gathered; applied to pay debts, taxes, and the expenses of administration; and distribution to those designated as beneficiaries in the will. |
| Probate Court | The court with authority to supervise estate administration. |
| Probate Estate | Estate property that may be disposed of by a will. |
Glossary
