Summary adjudication is a pre-trial procedural device that allows a court to determine the merits of a particular cause of action, an affirmative defense, a claim for damages, and/or an issue of duty. This procedural device can be brought by...
courts
summary judgment
A summary judgment is a judgment entered by a court for one party and against another party without a full trial.
OverviewIn civil cases, either party may make a pre-trial motion for summary judgment.
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of...
summation
In a legal trial, summation refers to the final, closing argument articulated by a litigant to a judge or jury concerning the merits of their side of a case. In contrast to an opening statement, in which a litigant may only preview what the...
summons
A summons is a form prepared by the plaintiff and issued by a court that informs the defendant that they are being sued or are required to appear in court. It may be served by a sheriff or other authorized person, such as the process server...
superior court
Superior court most commonly refers to the trial-level courts of many states such as California, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia. The name is often confused because usually there are courts above the superior courts even though...
supersedeas
Supersedeas (also termed “writ of supersedeas”) is Latin for “you shall desist,” and it refers to a stay of the enforcement of a judgment pending appeal; a writ or bond that suspends a judgment creditor’s power to levy execution.
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supplemental jurisdiction
A way for federal courts to hear claims for which they would not ordinarily have jurisdiction. Supplemental jurisdiction only exists in the situation where a lawsuit consists of more than one claim, and the federal court has valid jurisdiction (either...
Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act of 2010
Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act of 2010 (also known as S.B. 1070) was a highly controversial piece of immigration legislation in the state of Arizona. The bill was enacted in response to years of increasing illegal...
suppression
In a criminal case, most evidence gathered in violation of the Constitution is inadmissible at trial, due to the exclusionary rule. Evidence that has been kept out in this manner is said to have been “suppressed.”
suppression of evidence
Suppression of evidence is a pretrial proceeding to prevent evidence from being shown at trial, which could be lawful or unlawful.
Lawful suppression of evidence means the judge rejects the use of the evidence in the court...