Legal Glossary - D

Damages - Damages are intended as a remedial monetary award to help someone who has been injured. This compensation is usually determined in civil court cases concerning the wrong actions of another.

De Novo - A trial de novo is the second trying of a case, usually ordered after an appellate court review has found that no legal decision had been reached.

Decedent - A decedent is someone who has passed away, and usually refers to an individual who has just recently died.

Decree - A decree is the court judgment regarding legal consequences, and is particularly used in probate and divorce cases.

Defendant - A defendant is the party who is being sued in a civil lawsuit or the individual in a criminal case that is charged with the crime.

Deliberate - As a legal adjective, it describes careful or premeditated intention, and as a legal verb, it is the consideration of laws in relation to the facts of a case, used in reference to juries or legislative bodies.

Demurrer - The demurer definition is a formal legal response by a defendant which alleges the truth of facts, but not as a basis for a lawsuit or response. It is no longer utilized in this capacity.

Deposition - A deposition is oral testimony from a party in a civil litigation, taken under oath and recorded by an attorney. As trial evidence and a tool for obtaining additional information, a deposition includes signed affidavits to its accuracy.

Directed Verdict - A directed verdict describes a procedure where a judge removes the decision making responsibility from the jury, usually used in cases with insufficient burden of proof.

Disbursement - The term disbursement describes the legal payment or advancement of money.

Discovery - Discovery is achieved when evidence is accessible for trial use, dependent upon the belief that there is good reason for it. However, it may be denied if it appears that, instead of being a beneficial action, it will be used to obtain irrelevant information.

Dismissal - A dismissal occurs when a case is removed from court due to delays, which could jeopardize the defendant's position. Removing it from trial will negate all claims and award.

Do-Not-Resuscitate Order - A legal document in which a wish to not be revived after expiration is made official, thus removing preventing the resuscitation procedure from medical authorities.

Due Diligence - Due dilignce concerns the research into actions of individuals and businesses, regarding whether there was a standard of care taken to assure consistency, thoroughness, accuracy, and safety.

Durable Power of Attorney - This gives authority to an individual to act as agent for another. The purpose is to replace �guardianship� for situations regarding a person's incapacity.

Get More Information