Law Lexicon
Permanent injunction - A court order requiring that some action be taken, or that some party refrain from taking action. It differs from forms of temporary relief, such as a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction.
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Per se doctrine - Under this doctrine an activity such as price fixing can be declared as a violation of the antitrust laws without necessity of a court inquiring into the reasonableness of the activity.
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Personal property - Anything a person owns other than real estate.
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Personal recognizance - In criminal proceedings, the pretrial release of a defendant without bail upon his or her promise to return to court.
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Personal representative - The person who administers an estate. If named in a will, that person's title is an executor. If there is no valid will, that person's title is an administrator.
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Person in need of supervision - Juvenile found to have committed a "status offense" rather than a crime that would provide a basis for a finding of delinquency.
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Petit jury - The ordinary jury of twelve (or fewer) persons for the trial of a civil or criminal case. So called to distinguish it from the grand jury.
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Petitioner - The person filing an action in a court of original jurisdiction. Also, the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court.
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Plaintiff - A person who brings an action; the party who complains or sues in a civil action.
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Plea - The first pleading by a criminal defendant, the defendant's declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty. The defendant's answer to the charges made in the indictment or information.
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Plea bargaining - Process where the accused and the prosecutor in a criminal case work out a satisfactory disposition of the case, usually by the accused agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser offense. Such bargains are not binding on the court. Also referred to as plea negotiating.
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Pleadings - The written statements of fact and law filed by the parties to a lawsuit.
Source: Jurist International.
