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Glossary of Personal Injury Law Terms
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Legal Glossaries Main Page
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Oath: Written or oral pledge by a person to keep a promise
or speak the truth.
Obiter Dictum: Remark by a judge in a legal opinion that is
irrelevant to the decision and does not establish precedent .
Often used in the plural, dicta.
Objection: In a trial, a reason stated on the record
by an attorney that a matter or proceeding is illegal. Making
objections in open court is important for purposes of making a
record for appeal.
Occupational Disease: An illness resulting from long-term
employment in a particular type of work, such as those employees
exposed to asbestos, who later develop cancer.
On a Person's Own Recognizance: Release of a person from
custody without the payment of any bail or posting of bond, upon
the promise to return to court.
Opening Statement: The initial statement made by
attorneys for each side, outlining the facts each intends to
establish during the trial.
Opinion: Written statement by a judge or court of the
decision in a case which describes the law applied to the facts of
the case and the reasons for the decision.
Oral Argument: An opportunity for lawyers to summarize
their position before the court and also to answer the judges'
questions.
Order: Written direction or command made by a court or
judge, and not included in a judgment. See also decree.
Ordinance: Commonly, a regulation passed by a municipal
legislative body.
Original jurisdication: The first court to which a legal
dispute is referred.
Out-of-Court Settlement: An agreement reached between a
plaintiff and a defendant to resolve a lawsuit privately and
without a judge's authorization or approval.
Overrule: A judge's decision not to allow an objection.
Also, a decision by a higher court finding that a lower court
decision was in error.
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