Original Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction of the first court to hear a case. Plaintiff -- A complaining party in a civil action. It also includes a probable cause determination on a warrantless arrest and advice of preliminary hearing in felony cases. (Compare Sealed, Shielded or Confidential Record). Law Enforcement Unit -- A State, county, or municipal police department or unit, the office of a Sheriff, the office of a States Attorney, or the office of the Attorney General of the State. Admission -- The voluntary acknowledgement of the existence of fact facts relevant to an adversarys case. Affirmed (Judgment) -- A decision by an appellate court finding that the judgment of a lower court is correct and should stand. Note: Marital Property does not include property acquired before the marriage; acquired by inheritance or gift from a third party; excluded by valid agreement; acquired during the period that the parties voluntarily lived separate and apart without cohabitation and without interruption; directly traceable to any of these sources. In Propria Persona -- in ones own proper person; a party choosing to represent himself or herself without the benefit of an attorney; pro se. To 1/1/2002 shall continue to bear the CF case type abbreviations florida < /a > locate court! Appellate Jurisdiction -- the authority that a higher court has to review cases decided in a lower court; the Supreme Court of Maryland, Appellate Court of Maryland, and circuit courts have appellate jurisdiction. Service of Process, Personal -- Service of a summons or other process made by delivering it in person to the person named in the process. (Compare Public, Sealed, or Confidential Record). Res Gestae -- Things done; rule under which a remark made spontaneously and concurrently with an incident carries an inherent degree of credibility and is admissible because of its spontaneous nature (excited utterance); an exception to the hearsay rule. Extradition -- The surrender by one state to another of an individual accused or convicted of an offense outside its own territory and within the territorial jurisdiction of the other which, being competent to try and punish him, demands the surrender. District Court -- Lowest State trial court; a court of limited jurisdiction. Court Order -- A command or mandatory direction of a judge which is made during a case. 2. in a civil action, failure to answer may result in entry of a judgment against that person. In Propria Persona -- in ones own proper person; a party choosing to represent himself or herself without the benefit of an attorney; pro se. 3. In Banc Review -- A review of the trial courts rulings or judgment by a panel of three circuit court judges. (See: Huger v. State, 285 Md. Distress or Distraint -- Seizure; taking personal property out of the custody of a wrongdoer and into the custody of the party injured; for example, distress is a remedy for failure to pay rent. Service -- Delivery of a writ, notice, injunction, etc., by an authorized person, to a person who is thereby officially notified of some action or proceeding in which the person is concerned. Surety Bond -- A bond posted by a surety insurer ensuring that the penalty sum will be paid if the conditions of the bond are not satisfied. In accordance with Federal and State statutes and the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of Maryland or court order, certain records may not be available for public inspection. If in a replevin action it is not possible to repossess the goods, the action will roll over into detinue. Lien -- A claim upon the real property of another for some debt; the property remains in the defendants possession. Arrest -- A written order by a judicial officer directed to a peace officer and commanding him to arrest the body of a person named in it who is accused of an offense. Default -- The failure to appear, to defend, or to follow proper procedure in a lawsuit. Triple Seal -- Exemplified copy; a term referring to a certification of a court documents authenticity by signature of the clerk and seal of the court and certification by a judge of the court as to the authenticity of the clerks signature and seal; used to permit admission of the court document in a proceeding in another state under the full faith and credit provision of the U.S. Constitution. Distress or Distraint -- Seizure; taking personal property out of the custody of a wrongdoer and into the custody of the party injured; for example, distress is a remedy for failure to pay rent. Judicial Officer -- A judge or a District Court commissioner. . Lesser Included Offense -- A crime composed of some, but not all, of the elements of a greater crime; commission of the greater crime automatically includes commission of the lesser included offense. Witness -- One who testifies to what he has seen, heard, or otherwise observed and who is not necessarily a party to the action. Maryland Judiciary Case Search ("Case Search") is the primary way that the public may search for records of court cases. Writ of Habeas Corpus -- A court order compelling a Warden/Sheriff to bring a prisoner before a court at a specific date and time, most frequently to determine whether the prisoner is being held lawfully. Modifications can be ordered in open and closed cases. Service of Process, Personal -- Service of a summons or other process made by delivering it in person to the person named in the process. Public Defender -- Counsel provided at public expense, primarily to defend indigent defendants in criminal cases. Modifications can be ordered in open and closed cases. Writ of Execution -- An order of court commanding performance of a specified act or granting authority to have the action done. Docket Number -- Case number; the designation assigned to each case filed in a particular court. Replevin (Trans: to make good, to satisfy) -- To recover the possession of goods or property unlawfully taken or detained. Procedural Law -- The method, established normally by rules, to be followed in a case; the formal steps in a judicial proceeding. Return -- The act of a sheriff, constable, or other ministerial officer in delivering back to the court a writ, notice, or other paper which he was required to serve or execute with a brief account of his doings under the mandate, the time and mode of service or execution or his failure to accomplish it, as the case may be. Find NE Supreme Court decisions, opinions, and cases in FindLaw's searchable . Costs -- Fees and charges required by law to be paid to the court, the amount of which is fixed by statute or court rule. Common Abbreviations Used in Criminal Record Reports This list should be used only as a guide in interpreting criminal record information. Limited Jurisdiction -- the authority over only particular types of cases, or cases under a prescribed amount in controversy, or seeking only certain types of relief, the District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. Mistrial -- A trial that has been terminated and declared void due to prejudicial error in the proceedings or other extraordinary circumstances. Grand Jury -- A jury composed of 23 persons who receive evidence and determine if that evidence is sufficient for a criminal indictment. Record on Appeal -- The case file and its contents, together with a transcript of all proceedings in the lower court. On motion of the States Attorney, the court may indefinitely postpone trial of a charge by marking the charge stet on the docket. Indictment -- A charging document returned by a grand jury and filed in a circuit court. Service -- Delivery of a writ, notice, injunction, etc., by an authorized person, to a person who is thereby officially notified of some action or proceeding in which the person is concerned. De Novo Appeal (Trans: for new) -- An appeal from a District Court to a circuit court for a new trial at which new evidence may be presented and new determinations are made. Sentence -- The judgment of court after conviction awarding punishment. Custody -- The detainment of a person by virtue of lawful process or authority; actual imprisonment. Sub Curia (Trans: under law) -- An action of the court ordering a matter to be held pending resolution due to a legal requirement (a procedure, rule or statutory requirement that prevented the finality of the matter). There are numerous codes (abbreviations) used by the clerks to identify events in a District Court case record. Accommodations - Assistance with special needs and interpreters. Bench Warrant -- A warrant issued by a judge for the arrest of a defendant for failure to appear in court as required. Writ -- A written order issued by a court and addressed to a sheriff or other person whose action the court desires to command to require performance of a specified act or to give authority to have the act done. Government, Tracking, Management. Bail -- A sum of money or other form of security given to the court in exchange for the release of the accused from custody and to guarantee that the accused will appear in court. ADA -- A Federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act). Regular Estate (RE) - Assets subject to administration in excess of $30,000 ($50,000 if the spouse is the sole legatee or heir). Confession -- A statement by an individual, either oral or written, admitting that he or she committed a certain offense. Conviction -- The determination of guilt based on a plea, a jury verdict, or a finding of a judge. Civil-- Criminal-- Family-- Juvenile-- Probate-- General. Capital Case -- A criminal case in which the allowable punishment includes death. Pardon -- Relief from a conviction (full pardon) or from any further punishment imposed by a conviction (particular pardon) granted by an executive official (governor or president). Surrender (by bail) -- The return of the defendant again into custody by the surety on a bail bond. Peace Order -- An emergency form of relief or an order available to individuals who are experiencing problems with another person, including someone in a dating relationship, a neighbor, or a stranger. Accomplice -- A person who knowingly and willingly assists the principal offender in the commission of a crime. (Also known as Examination in Aid of Enforcement of Judgment; formally known as Supplementary Proceeding in aid of enforcement of judgment.). Transcript -- The official typed record of court proceedings, including the word for word testimony of witnesses, statements by attorneys, rulings by the judge, etc., prepared by the court reporter from stenographic notes or electronic recording made during the proceeding. A party who fails to comply with a court order in a civil action. Exception -- A formal objection to an action of the court during trial, evidencing the objecting partys disagreement with the courts ruling and preserving the matter for review on appeal. Waiver of Fees -- An action for an order permitting a person to obtain a good or service without having to pay the standard fee. Felony -- A serious criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or death. App. Jury Trial Prayer -- A case that was originally filed in the District Court, but for which a trial by jury in the Circuit Court is requested. Citation -- A charging document, other than an indictment, information, or statement of charges, issued to a defendant by a peace officer or other person authorized by law to do so. Bench -- The body of judges composing a court. Intrastate Detainer -- An arrest warrant issued on a charging document in Maryland and lodged with a correctional institution in Maryland in which the defendant is already in custody for the same or another offense to ensure continued detention of the defendant until processed on the charges underlying the warrant. Peace Officer -- A person charged with the duty to enforce and preserve the public peace. Motion -- A request to a court by one or more of the parties for a specific action in a case. U.S. District Court -- Federal trial court with general jurisdiction. The application guides you through a series of questions called an "interview." Appellee -- A party against whom an appeal is taken. Preliminary Hearing -- A hearing held in the District Court, unless waived by defendant, to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the offense(s); available when offense(s) charged are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the District Court. In January 2006, CaseSearch was introduced to satisfy information requests commonly received in the court clerks' offices. Cross-examination -- Examination of one partys witness by the other party. Complaint, Criminal -- A charge brought before a judicial officer that a person named has committed a specified offense. With a total land area of 12,407 square miles (32,130 km 2), Maryland is the 8th-smallest state by land area, but its . On motion of the States Attorney, the court may indefinitely postpone trial of a charge by marking the charge stet on the docket. ADA -- A Federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act). Non Est (Inventus) (Trans: not to be found) -- the sheriffs return of process when service is not made because the person was not found. Reconsiderations can be ordered in open and closed cases. Presumption -- An inference of the truth or falsehood of a proposition or fact that stands until rebutted by evidence to the contrary. Prosecuting Attorney or Prosecutor -- A public officer whose duty is the prosecution of criminal proceedings on behalf of the citizens of the state; most often refers to a States Attorney or Assistant States Attorney but, for some crimes, can be the State Prosecutor or Attorney General. An order entered by a judge suspending or postponing a proceeding or execution of an action before the Court. Citations are entered in the issuing officer's patrol car and a copy is given to the violator. Cepi -- I have taken; the return on a warrant indicating that the defendant has been arrested. (Compare Public, Shielded, or Confidential Record). Guilty -- The word used by an accused in pleading to the charges when he confesses to committing the crime of which he is charged. Judgment -- The final order of the court; in a criminal case, the conviction and sentence constitute the judgment, so there is no judgment until sentence is imposed. Petty Offense -- An offense the penalty for which does not exceed imprisonment for a period of three months or a fine of five hundred dollars. D.C. District Circuit. Evidence -- All the means by which a matter of fact, the truth of which is submitted for investigation, is established or disproved. Habeas Corpus (Trans: you have the body) -- A writ which brings a person before a court. Count -- A separate charge in a charging document or separate cause of action in a civil complaint. It borders Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. Detinue -- An action for the value of goods. Absconding Debtor -- A person who leaves a jurisdiction purposefully to avoid legal process. Ex Parte -- On one side only, by or for one party; done for, in behalf of, or on the application of, one party only. Of no practical importance. Voir Dire (Trans: to speak the truth) -- the preliminary examination of a prospective juror, or witness, to determine whether the person is competent, impartial, and unprejudiced. Opinion -- The statement of the courts decision in a case, setting out the reasons for the decision. Bail -- A sum of money or other form of security given to the court in exchange for the release of the accused from custody and to guarantee that the accused will appear in court. Search -- A written order by a judge directed to a peace officer and commanding him to search for and seize property as described therein. Typically defendants enter one of the following pleas: guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere. When you're done, the program automatically generates your completed forms, along with detailed instructions on what to do next. Some jurisdictions may interpret some of the terms contained herein differently. Finding -- A determination of fact by a judicial officer or jury. Probation -- A means of conditionally releasing an individual after trial. Evidence -- All the means by which a matter of fact, the truth of which is submitted for investigation, is established or disproved. Mediation -- A form of alternative dispute resolution in which a trained neutral person, a mediator, helps people in a dispute to communicate with one another, understand each other, and if possible, reach agreements that meet the participants needs. Mandate -- The judgment issued upon the decision of an appellate court. Judgment -- The final order of the court; in a criminal case, the conviction and sentence constitute the judgment, so there is no judgment until sentence is imposed. Merged -- The absorption of a lesser included offense into a more serious offense. Central Repository -- The Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Court Records -- All official records maintained by the clerk or other personnel pertaining to any criminal action or proceeding for expungement, including indices, docket entries charging documents, pleadings, memoranda, assignment schedules, disposition sheets, transcriptions of proceedings, electronic recordings, orders, judgments, and decrees. A person so served becomes a third-party defendant. ABA Plea -- A guilty plea based on an agreement patterned on standards recommended by the American Bar Association (ABA); the defendant and the State present to the court, on the record, an agreement that incorporates a specific sentence bound by the terms relating to sentence and disposition. Default -- The failure to appear, to defend, or to follow proper procedure in a lawsuit. 1. in a criminal action, failure to appear may result in a bench warrant being issued for the persons arrest. Stet (Trans: to stand) -- A conditional stay of all further proceedings in a case. This free program copies your interview answers directly into your court form exactly as you enter it. Sequester -- Separate or isolate; for example, to separate witnesses from each other, to separate property from a party and place it in the custody of the court or a third person, etc. Deposition -- Pretrial examination of a witness on written or oral questions answered under oath, used to discover the witness testimony in preparation for trial, and admissible at trial in lieu of live testimony if the witness is unavailable or refused to testify. Waive/Waiver -- Giving up a legal right voluntarily, intentionally, and with full knowledge of the consequences. Split Sentence -- A sentence imposing a fine and imprisonment with the imprisonment part suspended or imposing a period of imprisonment, part of which is suspended and a period of probation is imposed. Petition for Expungement -- A written request for expungement of Court and police records. Presumption -- An inference of the truth or falsehood of a proposition or fact that stands until rebutted by evidence to the contrary. Bail Bond -- A written obligation of a defendant, with or without a surety or collateral security, conditioned on the appearance of a defendant as required and providing for the payment of a penalty sum according to its terms; includes a surety bond posted by a surety insurer or bail bondsman and backed by the insurers pledge; a cash bond secured by deposited cash; a property bond secured by pledged personal property or a lien on real property; and/or an unsecured bond. Disposition -- Determination of the final arrangement or settlement of a case following judgment. (Also known as Examination in Aid of Enforcement of Judgment; formally known as Supplementary Proceeding in aid of enforcement of judgment.). Use the clear button to clear all fields and begin your search again. Explore the common criminal charge abbreviations used with juveniles. Removal -- Change of location (venue) of a case on the grounds that a party cannot receive a fair and impartial trial in the jurisdiction in which the action is pending. Case Tracking System. Forfeiture -- The loss of money or property or rights to property by failing to perform a condition or obligation required by the law or court without compensation to the owner. Complaint, Criminal -- A charge brought before a judicial officer that a person named has committed a specified offense. Deposition -- Pretrial examination of a witness on written or oral questions answered under oath, used to discover the witness testimony in preparation for trial, and admissible at trial in lieu of live testimony if the witness is unavailable or refused to testify. CIVIL: ADR = Alternate Dispute Resolution Satisfaction -- An entry made on the record by a plaintiff that states that he/she has been paid and the judgment satisfied. Crimes of Violence -- Maryland Law provides a definition for Crimes of Violence as they relate to mandatory sentences in certain crimes and crimes of violence relating to pistols and revolvers. Insanity Plea -- A claim that the defendant lacks the soundness of mind required by law to accept responsibility for a criminal act. Attachment -- The process of apprehending a person (as in a body attachment) or seizing property to satisfy a judgment. Landlords Complaint for failure to pay rent -- An action for the recovery of possession of real property. Bail Bondsman -- The authorized agent of a surety insurer. Common Law -- That body of law that was originated in England and was brought to the United States. Record on Appeal -- The case file and its contents, together with a transcript of all proceedings in the lower court. Recall -- Cancellation by the court of a warrant before its execution by the arrest of the defendant. Surrender (by bail) -- The return of the defendant again into custody by the surety on a bail bond. Petty Offense -- An offense the penalty for which does not exceed imprisonment for a period of three months or a fine of five hundred dollars. Ordinance -- The enactments of the legislative body of a local government. Seizure -- The taking of a defendants property to satisfy a judgment. The case type has also been changed to 'CRSCA.'. (Also known as Modification). Cepi -- I have taken; the return on a warrant indicating that the defendant has been arrested. Scroll to read through the Local Rules of Court abbreviations on this page, OR use the links below to jump to a specific division, OR use control F to search this page . Prima Facie -- Evidence good and sufficient on its face. Eviction -- Action taken to legally dispossess a person of land or property. Sua Sponte --Of its own will; commonly when a judge does something without being so requested by any party in a case. Settlement Conference -- A process in which you and anyone else involved in your case meet with a neutral attorney who will help you try and find ways to settle your case. Line (Praecipe) (Trans: command) -- A written request by an attorney entering his/her appearance, for the client before the court. Typically defendants enter one of the following pleas: guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere. Expungement -- The effective removal of police and/or court record from public inspection. Merged -- The absorption of a lesser included offense into a more serious offense. Contact Information Accounting & Finance Location: (AB) 2nd Floor Phone: (352) 671-5520 Levy -- A setting aside of the defendants property made by the sheriff or constable; this property is placed in custody of law. Opinion -- The statement of the courts decision in a case, setting out the reasons for the decision. Court Records -- All official records maintained by the clerk or other personnel pertaining to any criminal action or proceeding for expungement, including indices, docket entries charging documents, pleadings, memoranda, assignment schedules, disposition sheets, transcriptions of proceedings, electronic recordings, orders, judgments, and decrees. (Compare Public, Sealed, or Shielded Records). Counter Complaint -- A claim filed by a defendant in a civil case against the plaintiff. Verification -- An oral or written statement that something is true, usually made under oath or affirmation. Non-issue. Is there a specific reason you are asking? Commitment Order -- A court order directing that a person be kept in custody, usually in a penal or mental facility. Each year the Clerk's office files, processes and maintains civil, criminal and juvenile actions. Clerk -- An officer of the court who maintains case files, makes docket entries, issues process, and generally serves as the ministerial arm of the court. Arraignment -- The procedure whereby the accused is brought before the court to plead to the criminal charge in the indictment or information. This quick reference guide is to some of the most common Maryland Judiciary Case Search System abbreviations. Replevin (Trans: to make good, to satisfy) -- To recover the possession of goods or property unlawfully taken or detained. Rebuttal -- The act of contradicting or overcoming the effect of a presumption or evidence. Eviction -- Action taken to legally dispossess a person of land or property. Burden of Proof -- The necessity of proving facts at issue in Maryland, the criminal burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt; the civil burden of proof is by a preponderance of the evidence, or sometimes by clear and convincing evidence.. The law clerk will need to bring the proper ID to the Onboarding session or Judge's office to be verified. Unprobated Will Only (UN) - Will and Information Report filed with will and/or Application to Fix Inheritance Tax. (Compare Revision of Sentence). Res Judicata -- The matter already has been decided; a rule against relitigation of issues. Infraction (Civil) -- A violation of a statute, ordinance, or regulation for which the only penalty authorized is a civil fine. Subsequent Offender -- A defendant who, because of prior conviction, is subject to additional or mandatory statutory punishment for the offense charged. Moot -- Issue previously decided or settled. Terms of Use/Disclaimer. Extradition -- The surrender by one state to another of an individual accused or convicted of an offense outside its own territory and within the territorial jurisdiction of the other which, being competent to try and punish him, demands the surrender. In Forma Pauperis -- Frequently used by inmates filing papers to seek waiver of prepayment of filing fees in State courts. Case Law -- Decisions of federal and state courts interpreting and applying laws in specific fact situations; opinions are reported in various volumes. Wrongful Death -- A lawsuit brought by a decedents survivors for their damages resulting from a tortuous injury that caused the decedents death. Remand -- An action by the court that sends a case to another court or agency for further action.
