Law lexicon
Deficient - Incomplete; defective; not sufficient in quantity or force.
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Defunct - A corporation no longer operative; having ceased to exist.
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Deliberation - The jury's decision-making process after hearing the evidence and closing arguments and being given the court's instructions.
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Delinquency - The commission of an illegal act by a juvenile.
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Demurrer - A pleading filed by the defendant that the complaint as filed is not sufficient to require an answer.
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Dependent - One who derives existence and support from another.
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Deposition - Testimony of a witness or a party taken under oath outside the courtroom, the transcript of which becomes a part of the court's file.
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Digest - An index or compilation of abstracts of reported cases into one, set forth under proper law topic headings or titles and usually in alphabetical arrangement.
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Direct evidence - Proof of facts by witnesses who saw acts done or heard words spoken.
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Direct examination - The first questioning of witnesses by the party on whose behalf they are called.
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Deficient - Incomplete; defective; not sufficient in quantity or force.
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Disbarment - Form of discipline of a lawyer resulting in the loss (often permanently) of that lawyer's right to practice law.
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Discharge - The name given to the bankruptcy court's formal discharge of a debtor's debts. In probate, the release of the estate's representative from fiduciary responsibility.
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Disclaim - To refuse a gift made in a will.
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Discovery - The name given pretrial devices for obtaining facts and information about the case.
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Dismissal - The termination of a lawsuit.
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Directed verdict - In a case in which the plaintiff has failed to present on the facts of his case proper evidence for jury consideration, the trial judge may order the entry of a verdict without allowing the jury to consider it.
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Disbarment - Form of discipline of a lawyer resulting in the loss (often permanently) of that lawyer's right to practice law.
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Discharge - The name given to the bankruptcy court's formal discharge of a debtor's debts. In probate, the release of the estate's representative from fiduciary responsibility.
Source: Jurist International.
