Legal Glossary

A bystander summoned by the court for jury service.

Title to land purchased at a tax sale.

Co-ownership of property by husband and wife with the right of survivorship. The deed or other instrument must clearly indicate the intent to create a tenancy by the entirety with the right of survivorship, and not as tenants in common.

Co-ownership of property by two or more persons without the right of survivorship. Compare, JOINT TENANCY.

One who rents property from another.

One who rents property from another without a fixed term.

A monetary offer, usually to settle a claim.

Time during which the court legally conducts business. Compare, VACATION.

Procedure, as set forth in the “Mississippi Termination of Parental Rights Law,” for the termination of all parental rights regarding a child.

Pertaining to a will.

A person who has made a will; one who has died having left a will; may be a testator (male) or testatrix (female).

A part of a document, usually a deed, which gives the date on which the writing was executed and by whom.

Spoken evidence given under oath or affirmation.

The right to, or ownership in, real or personal property; the document which is evidence of this right. See also, CLEAR TITLE; TAX TITLE.

Latin: “Twisted.” A negligent or intentional act that causes harm for which there is liability.

One who commits a tort; a wrongdoer.

A word, phrase, symbol or design which identifies a product as belonging to its owner.

The official verbatim record of legal proceedings.

The transfer of a case from one venue to the proper county of venue.

Any injury to the body caused by external violence; a wound.

An unlawful act against another’s property.

One who commits a trespass; one who goes onto and remains on another’s property without the property owner’s permission or consent.

A grand jury’s endorsement upon a bill of indictment when sufficient evidence is found to warrant a criminal charge. Compare, NO BILL.

One who holds property in trust for the benefit of another.

A prisoner status, as defined by the classifications board of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, having certain benefits and privileges.

A jailor, especially one in charge of the keys; an officer who is primarily assigned to the custody of prisoners.