Legal Glossary

To agree to; to make a concession; to convey, especially real property.

One to whom a grant is made.

One who makes a grant.

Index to property titles in which the records are kept by reference to grantor’s and grantee’s names.

Without valuable or legal consideration.

The principle or most important part of a complaint or argument.

1. Total amount, e.g., gross earnings. 2. Flagrant or shameful.

Negligence of a degree so great that it shows a reckless disregard for the safety or rights of others.

Legally recognized custodian of the person or property of another with prescribed fiduciary duties and responsibilities under court authority and direction.

A representative of the court appointed to assist in properly protecting the best interests of a child or incompetent person by means of investigations, recommendations, and reports.

Latin: “To have the body.” Procedure for setting at liberty persons illegally held. Miss. Code Ann. Section 99-39-3 has abolished its use for post-conviction proceedings. As such, it is now generally only brought by a prisoner claiming to be held without having been convicted.

A clause in a deed defining the extent of ownership in the thing granted. Such is usual in a mineral deed.

Error of insufficient prejudicial effect to warrant a reversal. Such is apparent if a fair minded juror, even if the error were rectified, could only have arrived at a verdict of guilt.

A legal proceeding before the court in which testimony is presented, e.g., preliminary hearing, plea hearing, suppression hearing, trial, sentencing, etc.

“A statement that: (1) the declarant does not make while testifying at the current trial or hearing; and (2) a party offers in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the statement.” M.R.E. 801(c).

Unlawfully acting in a state of violent and uncontrollable rage.

One who inherits or receives property from another who has died; such person may be male (heir) or female (heiress).

See, LEGAL HOLIDAY.

A last will and testament entirely in the handwriting of the maker and signed at the end; valid in Mississippi even when made without witnesses.

Statutory right of householder to hold exempt from seizure or sale, under execution or attachment, a certain value and acreage of the personal residence.

The killing of one human being by another.

The confinement of a person convicted or charged with a crime to that person’s residence under the terms and conditions established by the department of corrections or court.

A jury which after extensive deliberations cannot agree upon a verdict.

To guarantee a debt by pledging one’s property as security.

Latin: “In the same place.”

Latin: “That is.”

Latin: “The same.”

Exemption from liability. See also, ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY; QUALIFIED IMMUNITY; GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY.

An attack upon the credibility of a witness.

Latin: “In chambers.” A judicial act done outside the presence of the public or jury.

Latin: “In the court.”

Latin: “In being.”

Latin: “In the extreme.” One who is near death and with no hope of recovery.

Latin: “In the manner of a pauper.” One who for reasons of poverty is relieved from paying fees and costs of a lawsuit or appeal.

Latin: “In this.” In this respect.

Latin: “At the threshold.” A motion in limine seeks a ruling at the beginning of a trial to exclude the use of certain evidence.

Latin: “In place of the parent.”

Latin: “In equal fault.”

Latin: “Against the person.” The power of a court to hear claims for or against a particular person. Compare, IN REM.

Latin: “In possible existence.”

Latin: “In the matter of.”

Latin: “Against the thing.” The power of a court to hear claims involving a particular thing or property. Compare, IN PERSONAM.

Latin: “In place.” In its original site or place.

Latin: “In the whole.” Entirely.

Confinement to a jail or prison.

That which is irrevocable; something which cannot be defeated or voided; usually applied to ownership of an estate or right.

Formal charge of a felony returned by a grand jury.

Poor; without funds.

1. Any contempt other than a direct contempt. 2. An act done beyond the presence of the court which is calculated to impede, embarrass, obstruct, defeat or corrupt the orderly administration of justice.

An offense punishable by death or confinement in the penitentiary; a felony.