Approach refers to moving toward the bench, a witness, or the jury box in court. An attorney may approach the bench in order to have a conversation with the judge and opposing counsel off the record and/or out of the jury's earshot. An...
courts and procedure
approach the witness
Approach the witness refers to when an attorney moves towards a witness in order to show them a document or exhibit. See approach. In some jurisdictions, an attorney must request to approach a witness; e.g. "may I approach the witness?"...
appropriation
Appropriation occurs when a defendant uses a plaintiff’s name, likeness, or image without their permission for commercial purposes. Appropriation is one of several torts falling under the category of invasion of privacy. When a defendant uses...
arbitration
Arbitration refers to an alternative dispute resolution method where the parties in dispute agree to have their case heard by a qualified arbitrator out of court. Under the Federal Arbitration Act, decisions reached through arbitration are...
arbitrator
An arbitrator is a neutral third party that oversees the alternative dispute resolution method of arbitration. While arbitration as a whole is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, the requirements to become an arbitrator are determined...
arguendo
Arguendo is a Latin term meaning "in arguing" or "for the sake of argument". When one assumes something arguendo, the person is asserting a hypothetical statement to be true for the purpose of argument, regardless of whether that statement...
arm's length
“Arm’s length” is an expression which is commonly used to refer to transactions in which two or more unrelated and unaffiliated parties agree to do business, acting independently and in their self-interest. In transactions “at arm’s length”,...
arraignment
An arraignment is the first step in a criminal proceeding where the defendant is brought in front of the court to hear the charges against them and enter a plea.
See, e.g. County of Riverside v. McLaughlin 500 U.S. 44 (1991...
arrest
An arrest is the use of legal authority to deprive a person of their freedom of movement.
An arrest is generally made with an arrest warrant. An arrest may be made without a warrant if probable cause and exigent...
Article III
Article III refers to Article III of the Constitution, the section of the Constitution that authorizes a federal court system. This provides that federal courts have judicial power over all cases and controversies arising under the...