Car Accident Legal Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Misdemeanor: Criminal offenses less than felonies; generally those punishable by fine or imprisonment of less than 90 days in a local facility. A gross misdemeanor is a criminal offense for which an adult could be sent to jail for up to one year, pay a fine up to $5,000 or both.

Mistrial: Erroneous or invalid trial. Usually declared because of prejudicial error in the proceedings or when there was a hung jury.

Mitigating circumstances: Those which do not constitute a justification or excuse for an offense but which may be considered as reasons for reducing the degree of blame.

Motion: Oral or written request made by a party to an action before, during or after a trial upon which a court issues a ruling or order.

Moot: Unsettled; undecided. A moot point is one not settled by judicial decisions.