Glossary of Legal Terms & Definitions
- Damages Damages are money the court has awarded to the injured party in a court case.
- Debtor A debtor is a person or business that owes a monetary amount to another person or business.
- Decree Another word for the court’s final decision on a case.
- Deed A legally enforceable written document that outlines and describes the boundaries of a property.
- Default A defendant is found to be in default when they fail to appear after receiving the summons and answer the complaint.
- Default judgment Default judgment is entered when a defendant is found to be in default and awards the opposing party what they are requesting.
- Defendant Is the person accused of a crime or being sued for an action that has to defend themselves in a legal proceeding.
- Delinquent Act When a minor commits an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult.
- Department of Economic Security (DES) An Arizona agency tasked with overseeing and coordinate IV-D payments and public assistance programs.
- Dependency A dependency action begins when children are removed from their parents’ home for safety or general welfare concerns. During a dependency action, a court will determine whether the parent is fit to care for the child or if their parental rights should be severed.
- Deposition Oral or written testimony taken outside of court, under oath, of a witness or a party to be used later as evidence or read in court.
- Disbarment Disbarment is when a lawyer’s license is revoked, either temporarily or permanently, for unethical conduct.
- Discipline Agency An agency established by the state to investigate complaints against lawyers and, if necessary, enforce an appropriate punishment. These agencies cannot help recover fees paid or force lawyers to reimburse for losses suffered.
- Discovery The gathering of facts and documents possessed by other parties or witnesses before trial in order to prepare arguments for trial.
- Dismissal A court or party dismisses a case when they find there is not enough evidence to proceed.
- Dismissal with prejudice When a good reason exists for dismissing a case and the plaintiff is forbidden from bringing the same claim again.
- Dismissal without prejudice When a case is dismissed for a lack of supporting evidence, but the same claim may be brought later in a new suit.
- Docket (trial docket) A list of cases and matters to be completed in those cases assigned to a specific judge, or a list of court proceedings the judge has that day.
- Domicile A person’s permanent residence or their home to which they intend to return.
- Double jeopardy When a criminal defendant may not be tried a second time for the same crime where the prosecution failed to convict through no fault of the defendant.
- Due process Constitutionally, a person cannot have their basic rights taken away by the government without receiving their day in court.
- Duty of Support Parents of an unemancipated natural or adopted minor child have an obligation to financially support them until they reach the age of 18, unless the child is still attending high school or a certified equivalency program, then they must continue to support the child until finished. If a(...)
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Juanita was absolutely wonderful and a pleasure to meet. She was knowledgeable and patient but educated as well to be more involved and aware of our case. Thank you, Juanita, for being a blessing to us! May God continue to bless you tenfold!
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I cannot recommend Henry Alzate highly enough for anyone seeking a family attorney. From our first consultation, it was clear that Henry is not only highly knowledgeable but also deeply compassionate. He took the time to understand the complexities of our situation and provided clear, practical advice every step of the way, our case was a nightmare and he never failed to reassure us that he had this handled. He demonstrated exceptional skill in handling our case, always keeping us informed and involved. Their professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail are truly impressive. Whether it was negotiating settlements with the other party or representing us in court, Henry was always prepared and tenacious, fighting for the best possible outcome for our family. Beyond their legal expertise, Henry offered emotional support and guidance during a VERY stressful time. They treated us with respect and empathy, making us feel valued and understood. If you need a family attorney who combines legal acumen with genuine care for their clients, look no further than Henry Alzate. We are incredibly grateful for all of his help and support. Thank you Henry for making a difficult process much more manageable and for achieving such a positive result for our family!! Also Jenifer was AMAZING too. If we have to go back to court I want them both on my team again.
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Outstanding Family Law Attorney Office the team provided exceptional service during a difficult time. Their professionalism, empathy, and expertise in family law were evident from start to finish. They were always responsive and offered clear, practical advice that made navigating my case much easier. I highly recommend them for anyone in need of a trustworthy and skilled family law attorney.
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I recently had the privilege of working with Attorney Lauren Bostick, and I cannot speak highly enough of her exceptional legal representation. From the outset, Lauren demonstrated a remarkable balance of empathy and assertiveness, which truly set her apart. One of the most impressive aspects of Lauren’s approach was her unwavering empathy. She took the time to truly understand my situation and concerns, ensuring that I felt heard and supported throughout the legal process. Her compassionate demeanor provided much-needed reassurance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. Moreover, Lauren’s assertiveness and tenacity were instrumental in securing a favorable outcome for my case. She navigated the complexities of the legal system with confidence and determination, advocating fiercely on my behalf. Thanks to her diligent efforts, I was able to achieve the custody arrangement I deserved and negotiate a fair settlement. In summary, Attorney Lauren Bostick is a consummate professional who goes above and beyond for her clients. Her combination of empathy and aggressiveness makes her a force to be reckoned with in the legal field. I am immensely grateful for her expertise and support, and I would highly recommend her services to anyone in need of legal representation.
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My experience with CHM was great. Highly Recommend them for your services. Darin was very helpful and made my experience amazing.
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Their service was by far the best! Couldn’t be happier, This firm had me at ease and with full confidence, took much of stress off. Can’t help to mention but thanks to Juanita for your patience with me.
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I appreciate Attorney Lauren Bostick because of all she did for my family, and words cannot describe the joy I feel making a decision to have her as my attorney. She was a ray of light for me and my children when all hope appeared infeasible. She was available to walk me through and was very kind to help with my questions. Thanks a lot from the deepest part of my heart for all you have done for me and my family and may God bless you. My children and I are eternally grateful and strongly recommend Attorney Lauren Bostick.
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I had a fantastic experience with Colburn Hintze Maletta PLLC. Their team of attorneys displayed unparalleled professionalism and expertise throughout my legal matter. They were responsive, thorough, and strategic, ensuring I was informed and confident every step of the way. I highly recommend their services for anyone looking for reliable and effective legal representation.
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David Maletta is one of the best in the business, hiring him to represent me was one of my best decisions. He actually cares about your life and what’s going on in it. It’s like talking with a friend except he’s got your court stuff handled on the backend so you won’t even have to lift a finger!
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Juanita did an excellent job helping my family, we got the answers we needed and the info she gave us was easy to understand.