Category: C

A lawsuit in which one or more members of a large group, or class, of individuals or other entities sue on behalf of the entire class. The district court must find that the claims of the class members contain questions of law or fact in common before the lawsuit can proceed as a class action.

A creditor’s assertion of a right to payment from a debtor or the debtor’s property.

An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court’s administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.

All evidence that is not direct evidence (such as eyewitness testimony).

The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court; chief judges are determined by seniority.

The judge’s instructions to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case on trial.

The law that the police believe the defendant has broken.

A judge’s office.

A legal claim.

The number of cases handled by a judge or a court.