Glossary

Evidence presented at trial by one party in order to overcome evidence introduced by another party.

To excuse (oneself) or be excused from a criminal or civil proceeding because of conflict of interest. For example, a judge may recuse himself or herself from a case because of personal or professional involvement with one or more of the parties.

A person appointed by the court to hear and make decisions on limited legal matters, like juvenile or traffic offenses.

Effective January 1, 2005, people in same sex relationships may register with the State of California as domestic partners. Becoming a registered domestic partner results in the parties having the same rights and obligations of married persons, including community property, spousal support and child support. The registered domestic partnership is dissolved in the same matter as a marriage is dissolved. However, there are several important differences between dissolution of a marriage and dissolution of a registered domestic partnership, which, primarily, involve the tax treatment of transfer of property or retirement benefits.

When an appellate court sends a case to a lower court for further proceedings.

A court official that records the proceedings in trials, including the questions asked of, and answers made by, witnesses.

A method of discovery in which one party formally and in writing asks the opposing party to admit the truth of certain facts relevant to a case.

The person against whom an appeal is made; the responding party in a dissolution, nullity, adoption, or probate case.

A court order that tells a person to stop doing something for a certain amount of time, usually until a court hearing is held.

When an appellate court sets aside the decision of a trial court. A reversal is often accompanied by a remand to the lower court for further proceedings.