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Battered child syndrome (B.C.S.)
Physical condition of a child indicating that external or internal injuries result from acts committed by a parent or custodian. Also termed Parent Infant Trauma Syndrome (P.I.T.S.).
Exhibit
A paper, document or other article presented and offered into evidence in court during a trial or hearing to prove the facts of a case.
Challenge to the array
Questioning the qualifications of an entire jury panel, usually on the grounds of partiality or some fault in the process of summoning the panel.
Appellate jurisdiction
The appellate court has the right to review and revise the lower court decision.
Agent
one who has authority to act for another
Comparative negligence
The degree to which a person contributed to his/her own injury, damage or death. Usually measured in terms of percentage. Contributory negligence is the failure to exercise care by a plaintiff, which contributed to the plaintiff's injury.
Estate
A collective term meaning all real and personal property owned by a person.
Peremptory challenge
Each party to a suit tried to a jury has the right to peremptorily "challenge" (reject) a certain number of prospective jurors without giving a reason. By contrast, the parties have unlimited rights to challenge jurors for good cause, but the judge must approve "for cause challenges." Parties may not exercise peremptory challenges on the basis of race or gender.
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