| |
F
- fair comment
- Term used in libel law applying to statements relating to matters of public concern made by a writer in honest belief that they are true, even though they are not.
- false arrest
- Arresting an individual without proper legal authority.
- false pretenses
- Purposely misrepresenting a fact or condition in order to obtain another's money or goods.
- family allowance
- Money set aside from the estate of a deceased to provide for surviving family members during administration of the estate.
- family court
- Court having jurisdiction over such family matters as child abuse and neglect, support, paternity and custody.
- felony
- Serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than a year or death and/or substantial fines. Compare misdemeanor.
- fiduciary (fih DOO she AIR ee)
- Person having a legal relationship of trust and confidence with another and a duty to act primarily for other's benefit, e.g., guardian, trustee or executor.
- file
- To place a paper in custody of the clerk of court/court administrator to enter into the official files or records of a case.
- finding
- Formal conclusion by judge, jury or regulatory agency on issues of fact.
- fine
- Money penalty imposed in criminal or civil action.
- first appearance
- See initial appearance.
- forcible entry and detainer
- Summary proceeding for restoring possession of land to one who has been wrongfully deprived of it.
- forgery
- Falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document, e.g., a check.
- fraud
- Intentional deception to deprive another person of property or to injure that person in some other way.
|