Glossary Results - O

Objection - The process by which one party takes exception to some statement or procedure. An objection is either sustained (allowed) or overruled by the judge.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) - Federal law that established safety standards in the workplace.  

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission - The agency established by OSHA to adjudicate enforcement actions under the Act.

offensive collateral estoppel - Doctrine that stops a defendant from litigating the same issue after it has been lost in a prior proceeding.  

offer - Key element in the formation of a contract in which one party extends a proposal to another to enter into an agreement.  

offer of proof - Under the rules of evidence, when one party offers proof as to the admissibility and relevance of evidence he wishes to offer.  

officer - Person elected by a corporation's board of directors, or by the manager of a limited liability company, to manage the day

Official reports - The publication of cumulated court decisions of state or federal courts in advance sheets and bound volumes as provided by statutory authority.

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.

open adoption - Adoption that allows for a contact between the birthparents, adoptive parents, and sometimes the child.  

opening statement - Statement made by an attorney or pro

opinion - A judge's written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of judges. A dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion because of the reasoning and /or the principles of law on which the decision is based. A concurring opinion agrees with the decision of the court but offers further comment. (A per curium opinion is an unsigned opinion "of the court".)

oral argument - Opportunity for lawyers to summarize their positions before the court and answer the judges questions.  

order - Decision issued by the court telling someone to do something.  

order to show cause - Order from a judge directing a party to come to court to dispute an action proposed by the opposing side or by the judge himself.  

ordinance - Law adopted by a town or city council, county board of supervisors or other municipal governing board.  

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.

own recognizance - the act of releasing an arrestee from custody without requiring that he post a bond or security.

Ordinance - A law adopted by a town or city council, county board of supervisors or other municipal governing board. Typically, local governments issue ordinances establishing zoning and parking rules and regulating noise, garbage removal, and the operation of parks and other areas that affect people who live or do business within the locality's borders.  

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