Glossary Results - I

Immigration - The entry of foreign persons into a country to live permanently.

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) - The federal agency that administers and enforces immigration and naturalization laws.  

Immunity - Grant by the court, which assures someone will not face prosecution in return for providing criminal evidence.

impeach - (1) The process of discrediting a witness (2) The process of removing a public official from office.  

Impeachment of a witness - An attack on the credibility (believability) of a witness, through evidence introduced for that purpose.

Implied contract - A contract not created or evidenced by the explicitly agreement of the parties but one inferred by law; as the use of electric power in your home implies a contract with the light company.

implied warranty - A guarantee about the quality of goods or services which is not explicit, including warranties of "merchantability" and "fitness."  

implied warranty of habitability - The requirement that landlords maintain livable premises for their tenants.  

imprison - The confinement of a person in prison or otherwise as punishment for committing a crime.  

in camera - A hearing which is held before the judge in private chambers or where the public is excluded from the courtroom.  

Inadmissible - That which, under the rules of evidence, cannot be admitted or received as evidence.

inadmissible evidence - Evidence that fails to meet state or federal court rules regarding the types of evidence that can be presented to a judge or jury.  

incapacity - Refers to a person's inability to manage his or her own personal care, property or finances due to a lack of physical or mental abilities.  

Incarceration - Imprisonment in a jail or penitentiary.

incompetence - A legal determination that a person is unable to handle his own personal or financial affairs  

indecent exposure - Uncovering areas of one's body considered "private" under circumstances likely to offend others.  

indenture - A real estate deed between two parties in which both parties assume obligations.  

independent contractor - A worker who, unlike an employee retains control over how the work they are hired to do gets done.  

Independent executor - A special kind of executor, permitted by the laws of certain states, who performs the duties of an executor without intervention by the court.

Indeterminate sentence - A sentence of imprisonment to a specified minimum and maximum period of time, specifically authorized by statute, subject to termination by a parole board or other authorized agency after the prisoner has served the minimum term.

Indictment - A written accusation by a grand jury charging a person with a crime.

Indigent - Needy or impoverished. A defendant who can demonstrate his or her indigence to the court may be assigned a court-appointed attorney at public expense.

indispensable party - A person or entity whose inclusion in a lawsuit is necessary for the court to render a final judgment that will be just to everyone concerned.  

information - The document in which a prosecutor charges a criminal defendant with a crime which tells the defendant what crime he is charged with, against whom and when the offense is alleged to have occurred.  

informed consent - Permission to do something which is given with complete knowledge of all relevant facts, such as the risks involved or any available alternatives.  

infraction - A less serious violation of the law that is punishable only by a fine.  

inherit - To take possession of property from someone who has died.  

inheritance taxes - Taxes assessed on the value of inherited property and imposed on the people or organizations who inherit the property.  

Initial appearance - The defendant comes before a judge within hours of an arrest to determine whether or not there is probable cause for his or her arrest.  

Glossary Of Legal Terms This is a Legal glossary/dictionary for visitor reference. Please click on the letter below to search by alphabet to find the term you are looking for. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z