A court-imposed order to restrict information or comment about a case. The ostensible purpose of such an order is to protect the interests of all parties and preserve the right to a fair trial by curbing publicity likely to prejudice a jury. A gag order cannot be directly imposed on members of the press because this constitutes an impermissible prior restraint and violates the First Amendment.

Process in which money or goods in the hands of a third person, which are due a defendant, are attached by the plaintiff. It is a statutory remedy that consists of notifying a third party to retain something he has that belongs to the defendant (debtor), to make disclosure to the court concerning it, and o dispose of it as the court shall direct.

To create a civil division of an unusual shape within a particular locale for improper purpose; to redistrict a state, creating unnatural boundaries and isolating members of a particular political party, in the hope that a maximum number of the elected representatives will be of that political party.

Substantial or legally sufficient reason for doing something. For example, if a statute provides for granting a new trial upon a showing of good cause, such good cause might include the existence of fraud, lack of notice to the parties or newly discovered evidence. Motions submitted before a judge, which in essence ask the judge to do something, must be supported by a showing of good cause. On a motion to exclude or suppress evidence for trial, good cause must be shown by example of illegal police conduct in the seizing of the evidence. For the motion to be granted, the judge must be convinced the conduct occurred and is enough to justify exclusion.

Total absence of intention to seek unfair advantage or to defraud another party; an honest intention to fulfill one's obligations; observance of reasonable standards of fair dealing. In property law, a good faith purchaser of land pays value for land and has no knowledge or notice of any facts that would cause an ordinary prudent person to make inquiry concerning the validity of the conveyance.

A jury to determine whether the facts and accusations presented by the prosecutor warrant an indictment and eventual trial of the accused, called grand because of the relatively large number of jurors impaneled (traditionally twenty-three).

A provision permitting persons engaged in an activity before passage of a law affecting the activity to receive a license or prerogative without the necessity of fulfilling all that is legally required of persons subsequently undertaking the same activity.

One's allegation that something imposes an illegal burden, or denies some equitable or legal right, or causes injustice. An employee may be entitled by a collective bargaining agreement to seek relief through a grievance procedure.

A promise to be responsible for the debt, default or miscarriage of another; a warranty or promise to undertake an original obligation; something given security for the performance of an act or the continued quality of a thing.

One who legally has care and management of the person or estate, or both, of an incompetent; an officer or agent of the court who is appointed to the interests of minors or incompetent persons and to provide for their welfare, education and support.