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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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