Glossary of Legal Terms & Definitions
- Petitioner The person who originally files a lawsuit or action, or appeals a lower court judgment.
- Plaintiff Another term for a person who originates a lawsuit or action.
- Plea A defendant’s response to the charges made against them, it can be any of the following: guilty; not guilty; or nolo contendere.
- Plea Deal/Bargain/Agreement An agreement in a criminal case where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for lesser charges, a dismissal of charges, or a recommendation of a more lenient sentence.
- Pleadings The written complaint and answer filed by the parties in a civil case of their positions.
- Precedent A court decision decided in a previous case with factual and legal similarity to a current dispute before the court, unless a party shows it was wrongly decided or differed significantly from the current case. Precedent can be binding, meaning it must be followed, or non-binding, meaning(...)
- Preliminary hearing A legal proceeding, similar to a grand jury, done before trial in which a prosecutor presents the evidence to a judge in an attempt to show there is probable cause a person committed a crime. If the judge does not find probable cause, the charges are dropped.
- Presumed Father A person the law considers the legal father of a child because of their legal relationship to the child’s mother during pregnancy, such as being married to the mother.
- Pretrial conference A meeting before trial between the judge and parties or their lawyers to discuss the following: the status of the case and defense investigation, outstanding discovery issues, plea negotiations, pre-trial motions, and setting a timeline for the case and trial.
- Pro Bono Work done for no compensation by an attorney for the public good.
- Pro Se A Latin phrase meaning “on one’s own behalf.” A person appears pro se when they choose to represent themselves with no help from an attorney.
- Probable Cause The burden of proof that must be met prior to arresting a person or obtaining a search warrant from a judge. Based on the totality of the circumstances, an officer must reasonably believe that a crime has been committed and that the person being placed under arrest was the one who(...)
- Probate The legal process of gathering and distributing assets to beneficiaries mentioned in a deceased person’s will, and the paying of any final debts and taxes.
- Probate Court The court that supervises the probate legal process of establishing the validity of a will and distributing assets.
- Probation An alternative to imprisonment where a convicted defendant is allowed to walk free under supervision as long as they observe certain conditions.
- Prosecute When a prosecutor charges someone with a crime.
- Prosecutor An attorney that represents the government in criminal cases and has the responsibility of deciding who to prosecute. The prosecutor represents the state during criminal legal proceedings, including trial.
- Public Defender A government lawyer who represents defendants accused of a crime if they cannot afford an attorney of their own.
- Reasonable Doubt In a criminal case, a prosecutor must prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cannot prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt, then the defendant is entitled to an acquittal. This is the highest burden of proof in the legal system.
- Record A written recording of all proceedings and actions in a lawsuit.
- Remand When a case is appealed to an appellate court, it is reviewed for any procedural errors. If errors are found, the court will send, or remand, the case back to the lower court for further proceedings, which may or may not change the final decision. A remand in the context of Grand Jury(...)
- Reporter A person who makes a written record of all court proceedings, prepares transcripts, and publishes opinions/decisions.
- Respondent The term used for the person against whom an appeal of a court decision is brought or a term for the person answering a complaint in a civil case.
- Retainer An amount of money paid to an attorney to reserve them for when a client needs their services at a later date.
- Reverse When an appellate court finds an error with a lower court’s decision, the appellate court will set aside or reverse the decision and remand the case back to the lower court to issue a new decision.
- Rules of Evidence The standards governing the form and admissibility of evidence in a civil or criminal case.
- RURESA The Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act: a statute that assists in establishing and enforcing support obligations when parents reside in different states. This act has been adopted by most states.
- Search Warrant A court-issued document, supported by probable cause, which allows the police to search specific locations for specified items.
- Self-help In the legal field, self-help refers to a person choosing to attempt to enforce their rights outside of the legal system. In the realm of family law, parents may attempt to use “self-help” to set a visitation schedule without court intervention. The downside to self-help in this context(...)
- Sentence After a criminal defendant is found guilty, the court orders or sentences them their punishment, which, among other terms, may include prison, jail, probation, and fines.
- Separation Agreement A written document created in a divorce proceeding that determines parental/child contact, child support, and parental rights without granting a divorce.
- Settlement When the parties to a court action, including a criminal or family law case, resolve their differences without going through a formal trial.
- Standard of Proof A standard by which a party must prove their case in court. In a civil case, the plaintiff must prove their case by a “preponderance of the evidence” or “clear and convincing evidence.” In a criminal case, the prosecutor must prove their case “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
- Standing A person or group’s legal right to bring a lawsuit or legal challenge.
- Statement After a person has witnessed a crime or incident in which the police are called, the police will ask that person to give a statement of their experience. That statement may be written or oral.
- Statute A term that refers to a law passed by the state or federal legislature.
- Statute of Limitations A law that designates the amount of time after an incident a party has to file an action in court or be prohibited from bringing the cause of action. In criminal law, most crimes have a set amount of time within which the prosecutor must bring charges against the accused.
- Stipulation An agreement between the parties of a lawsuit or other court action in which they agree certain laws or facts are assumed true and relevant.
- Subpoena A court order forcing a person to appear at trial or produce documents, or face penalties ordered by the court.
- Summary Judgment When, before the trial occurs, a judge decides there is no dispute as to the facts of the case and a party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.
- Summons A court issued document demanding a person appear in court or respond to a lawsuit, or risk having a judgment filed against them or a warrant issued for their arrest in the context of a criminal case.
- Temporary restraining order A temporary order issued by the court to prevent immediate and irreparable damages or loss in an emergency.
- Testify When a person answers questions in court as a witness.
- Testimony The answers a person gives when testifying as a witness in a case. Testimony is considered evidence in a trial.
- Tort When a person or entity breaches a duty to another person causing a civil wrong or injury.
- Transcript An exact written record of what was said in a trial or other proceeding related to a case.
- Trial A legal proceeding that happens when a defendant pleads “not guilty” and challenges the state’s evidence in front of a judge or jury. A trial occurs if opposing parties are unable to reach an alternative resolution.
- Trust A legal device set up by a person or business to help manage real or personal property for the benefit of another.
- Trustee The person or entity appointed in trust documents to manage the real or personal property put into a trust.
- U.S. Attorney (federal prosecutor) A federal government attorney appointed by the President of the United States in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases for the federal government.
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Client Testimonials
“This was the best possible outcome, great price, and fast.”
Darin helped me with a complex family law issue involving ownership of multiple businesses and other assets. He was able to structure a win-win that wasn’t only better than I thought was possible but that protected the business I had built. Above and beyond that, he did it with great customer service and character – which really matters to me. This was the best possible outcome, great price, and fast.
David R. - Google Review
“Because of Darin I got my daughter back”
Before I hired Darin I went through a total of 3 different attorneys in two different states fighting a jurisdiction battle, when my daughter was taken to a different state. It was a very difficult decision to switch attorneys at one of the most difficult, time sensitive and important times in my case, but I’m very glad I did. Upon receiving my file from previous attorneys Darin came very familiar with my case quickly. Like other people have explained he took the time to lay everything out and explain how the process was going to proceed and what to expect and continued to do this as new issues arrived. He is also very quick at responding to emails and phone calls. My case was getting close to trial as told by my previous attorneys, I did not want to go to trial as I know this is very costly (most attorneys will convince you that you need to.) Darin knew my situation, fought for what was right and got the results I wanted while avoiding a costly trial. He is extremely knowledgeable in the Child Support Guidelines as well. Because of Darin I got my daughter back. I would highly recommend him and would hire again for any future issues. Thanks Darin!
Chris - AVVO Review
“Tim was absolutely amazing and worked diligently”
I had an incident and was given the catch-all charge. There wasn’t really anything I could do by myself to get out of it. Tim was absolutely amazing and worked diligently to ensure that I would have the best possible outcome from my case. Which he successfully achieved! As of right now, I am on the path to having my case fully dismissed. A couple of things that really helped me through this process was that Tim did an amazing job at answering my questions. He was available almost anytime and would respond promptly when he got my emails. He was also very approachable and comforting to be around while we had in person meetings and especially when I was at the court house. I would trust him and the company he works for with any other cases in the future, and as of right now, they will be my first choice if I need a lawyer in the future.
Dylan - AVVO Review
“Nothing but good things to say about my experience.”
I have nothing but good things to say about my experience working with David Maletta. I was in a very high-stress situation facing a pending DUI charge. He doesn’t know this, but I actually interviewed 5 potential lawyers, and he was the most optimistic of all of them. He took over and handled everything, and now I don’t have to live with a DUI. Thank you so much for everything! Highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal help.
Lauren Koontz - Google Review
“I would give them more stars, but the option is not there”
Best divorce lawyers in Arizona, hands down. Timothy Hintz handled my divorce, and as a father, I have my son and our house. I would give them more stars, but the option is not there. His paralegal Jennifer Bone is extremely competent, and the whole team is very friendly. Took a big weight off, having them behind me.
Joseph A. - Google Review
“The calm in the middle of my storm…”
I recently consulted with Darin after my wife filed for divorce. He was referred to me by a friend whom I very much trust. Darin was the antithesis of the first two attorneys I consulted (who were matter-of-fact and had very little empathy about the fact that I was struggling emotionally with what was transpiring). From the first few minutes of speaking with Darin, it was obvious that he was very knowledgeable and skilled with divorce and family matters. While that was most important to me, the thing that made the difference was his calming, logical, and empathetic approach. He took the time to listen and empathize with me. He took the time to understand what I wanted to achieve through this process and laid out my options. After the consultation, I knew he would be my attorney if I had to pull the trigger. I, ultimately, didn’t have to engage Darin’s services due to a reconciliation with my wife. I hope I never have to go through that process again. However, if I do, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt who I will be hiring to represent me…Darin R. Colburn. Darin, thank you for caring and being more than an attorney.
Frank - AVVO Review
“He fights for his clients like no one I have ever seen”
David Maletta is the absolute best trial attorney in the state of Arizona. He is a kind, emphatic, and extremely patient person. As an attorney, he is prepared, aggressive, and extremely skilled. He is not afraid to go to trial and fight for his clients, like other attorneys that just plead their clients to the original charges. When he is in trial, he flips a switch and goes from a nice guy to a killing machine. He fights for his clients like no one I have ever seen. Watching him do a cross-examination is exhilarating because he is so good it’s scary.
Patricia Bevins - Google Review
“I still have a clean record to this day.”
One piece of advice for people who are charged with anything in Arizona is to hire a great lawyer because the state does not care if you’re innocent or not. The Arizona legal system will try to ruin your life. A couple of years ago I was the victim of an antisemitic hate crime when a guy named Billy, who had a history of drug and alcohol issues and was thrown out of the Navy for being violent, decided to attack me after drinking all day in Old Town (Sunday funday) over a pointless argument over whether it’s better to buy homes immediately post-recession or during the 10th year of a bull market run which was his argument. The disagreement led to Billy making several anti-semitic comments and assaulting me, which led to me beating up billy. Billy and his friends then went to the police and lied to try to get me thrown in jail for months for assault while getting 10s of thousands of dollars in restitution in the process. I hired David Maletta. We went to court and destroyed Billy and his best friend/roommate Taylor who were trying to extort me and ruin my life. In Arizona there is a 3.5% chance you’ll get all charges dropped because of how hard the state is on crime but we pulled it off and I still have a clean record to this day.
MJ Walsh - Google Review
“Very professional, very empathetic, and very responsive to all the issues.”
I had the opportunity to work with Darin during a very troublesome time in my life. As a family attorney, I found him to be very professional, very empathetic, and very responsive to all the issues I faced. I would recommend him to anyone without a second thought. Thank you, Darin!
Gary C. - Google Review
“I was found NOT GUILTY. Dave won the trial for me.”
Dave stayed with me while he pushed back and forth with Covid-19 and the delays with court. Once cited, the state basically decides that you’re guilty through the automatic suspension of your drivers license. Dave immediately took care of that problem and I never lost the privilege of driving. Dave took notes like crazy and was upfront about our uphill battle. I was also well aware that the plea deal that was given to us, was unacceptable and through Dave’s knowledge and experience I had put my trust in him to guide me to make the right decision on how to proceed. With Dave’s guidance I had decided that we needed to fight for something better than what the prosecutor was offering and Dave was 100 percent behind me on that decision. We knew the risks, be we also knew we had very little to lose based on the prosecutions stance. We decided to go to trial… Watching the prosecution and then watching Dave was night and day!! It was clear to the jury that the prosecution didn’t have their facts straight and were not addressing the facts that they could not address…There was a lot at stake for my personal life and my work life. I was found NOT GUILTY. Dave won the trial for me.
Gregory - AVVO Review
“David was relentless in his pursuit of my son’s innocence”
We retained David Maletta to represent our son after being cited for what can only be described as a momentary lapse of reason. David was extremely knowledgeable, was able to clearly communicate very complicated concepts, and was relentless in his pursuit of my son’s innocence. He had strong relationships with the prosecuting attorney and respect of the judge, which ultimately resulted in my son learning a really hard lesson with limited consequences (traffic school and writing an essay to the judge on the physics of driving 130MPH and what happens if that goes badly). I have already sent all of my friends with teenage and 20 year old kids his contact information for when they inevitably get that call. David completely exceeded all of our expectations and we could not recommend him any stronger. Thank you for everything.
Shawn H. - Google Review
“Responsive, sympathetic, professional, patient, and kind.”
On one of the worst and most surreal nights of my life (do not EVER get a DUI people!) I was lucky enough to find my way to Tim Hintze. Being in Phoenix for the Thanksgiving holiday from out of town, and after spending the evening with family, I ended up spending the night in jail.
Tim turned one of the worst experiences in my life into “it could have been so much worse!” Working with him from a different state, he covered the bases & paperwork, showed up for me in court, gave me numerous connections to muck my way through the system, and held my hand the whole way.
I cannot imagine how much worse this experience could have been, and thanks to Tim, I didn’t need to. He was responsive, sympathetic, professional, patient, and kind throughout the long process, drawn out by many months due to Covid.
Keep Tim’s number handy and in your contacts in the event you are ever in the sorry position to need a DUI lawyer!