Joinder: Generally, a bringing or joining together. For example, plaintiffs joining in a suit, or a joining of actions or defense.
Judge: An official of the judicial branch of government with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. The term "judge" may also refer to all judicial officers, including Supreme Court justices.
Judgment: The official decision of a court that resolves the dispute between the parties to a lawsuit;
The official decision or finding of a judge or administrative agency hearing officer about the respective rights and claims of the parties to an action; also known as a "decree" or "order," and may include "findings of fact and conclusions of law";
The final decision of the judge stating which party has won the case and the terms of the decision. Can be "n.o.v.," which means a ruling in favor of 1 party even though there had been a verdict for the other party, or "summary," which means a court's decision before a trial saying that no facts are disputed in the case and that 1 party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Compare disposition, verdict.)
Judgment Creditor: The party (may be the plaintiff or the defendant) in whose favor a judgment has been awarded. A person having a legal right to enforce a judgment for a specific sum of money.
Judgment Debtor: The party (may be the plaintiff or the defendant) against whom the judgment has been entered but not yet satisfied.
Judicial district: The state is divided into judicial districts that define the geographical area of each court's authority.
Judicial officer: Judges, referees, and commissioners that make court decisions as a judge.
Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case; (2) the geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases; (3) the territory, subject matter, or persons over which lawful authority may be exercised by a court.
Jury: A group of citizens picked according to law and authorized to decide a case.
Attorney talking to Jury
Juvenile court: The purpose of the juvenile court is to provide protection for children being abused, neglected or exploited. Cases heard in the juvenile court may result in foster care placement, termination of parental rights, or adoptive placement. The juvenile courts are required to try to assist and provide services for reunifying the family. In each proposed guardianship, there is a court investigation (unless waived by the court). If the investigation finds that any party alleges the minor's parent is unfit, as defined by Welfare and Institutions Code section 300, the case is referred to the county agency designated to investigate potential dependencies. A probation officer must then investigate whether dependency proceedings in juvenile court should be commenced. If the child does become a dependent of the juvenile court, then the juvenile court will have exclusive jurisdiction to decide all custody issues and only a juvenile court can appoint a legal guardian for the child. (Welfare and Institutions Code sections 302 and 304.) When a child is removed from the parent's custody in juvenile court, the court must order child welfare services to facilitate reunification of the family. (Welfare and Institution Code section 361.) If reunification is unsuccessful, the court may establish and supervise a legal guardianship.
