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res judicata
Literally, "a thing that speaks for itself." In tort law, the doctrine, which holds a defendant guilty of negligence without an actual, shows that he or she was negligent. Its use is limited in theory to cases in which the cause of the plaintiff's injury was entirely under the control of the defendant, and the injury presumably could have been caused only by negligence.
Pro se
A sentence releasing a convicted criminal into the community or a treatment facility under the supervision of a probation officer, requiring compliance with certain conditions. If the conditions are not met, the court orders an "Order to Show Cause" hearing as to why probation should not be revoked and the sentence imposed.
Termination of parental rights
A judicial proceeding freeing a child from all custody and control by parents, so the child can be adopted by others.
Fee simple absolute
The most complete, unlimited form of ownership of real property.
Annual review
Yearly judicial review, usually in juvenile dependency cases, to determine whether the child requires continued court supervision or placement
Appellant
The party appealing a final decision or judgment.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Methods of resolving disputes outside of official court proceedings. These methods include mediation arbitration, and conciliation
Nominal party
One, who is joined as a party or defendant merely because the technical rules of pleading require his presence in the record,
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