Youth and the Law Vocabulary #5 1. Majority- The age at which a person is 1. Majority- The age at which a person is legally considered an adult. legally considered an adult. 2. Market Research- Studies of consumers 2. Market Research- Studies of consumers made to help businesses improve and/or made to help businesses improve and/or sell their products. sell their products. 3. Minor- A person under the age of 3. Minor- A person under the age of majority majority

4. Misdemeanor- A crime that is less serious 4. Misdemeanor- A crime that is less serious than a felony and is punishable by a fine than a felony and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment for less than one year and/or imprisonment for less than one year in county jail. in county jail. 5. Mortgage- A method of borrowing money 5. Mortgage- A method of borrowing money to buy a house. to buy a house. 6. Negligent Tort- A wrong or injury 6. Negligent Tort- A wrong or injury suffered by one person as a result of suffered by one person as a result of another person’s carelessness. another person’s carelessness.

7. New York Times Rule- A rule affecting libel 7. New York Times Rule- A rule affecting libel actions brought by public figures. To win a actions brought by public figures. To win a libel action, a private person has to show that libel action, a private person has to show that the defendant made a false and damaging the defendant made a false and damaging statement. But a public figure must also show statement. But a public figure must also show that the statement was made with actual that the statement was made with actual “malice” (intent to harm). “malice” (intent to harm). 8. No Fault Divorce- In California, a couple may 8. No Fault Divorce- In California, a couple may get a divorce without finding “fault” in either get a divorce without finding “fault” in either party. party.

9. Nuisance- Using one’s home or other property 9. Nuisance- Using one’s home or other property in some unreasonable way which affects in some unreasonable way which affects another person’s rights. another person’s rights. 10. Offer- First step in making a contract. A 10. Offer- First step in making a contract. A specific proposal to enter into an agreement specific proposal to enter into an agreement with another. with another Out-of-court settlement- An agreement by 11. Out-of-court settlement- An agreement by both sides in a lawsuit that settles their both sides in a lawsuit that settles their dispute before it goes to court. dispute before it goes to court.

12. Party- A person or group of people 12. Party- A person or group of people involved in a legal agreement or involved in a legal agreement or proceeding. proceeding. 13. Petition- A request for a court order. 13. Petition- A request for a court order. 14. Plaintiff- The person who brings an 14. Plaintiff- The person who brings an action against another in a civil court action against another in a civil court proceeding. proceeding.

15. Probation- a chance to remain free 15. Probation- a chance to remain free instead of jail (or after being in jail for instead of jail (or after being in jail for a short time). It is ordered by a judge a short time). It is ordered by a judge after a person is convicted of a crime after a person is convicted of a crime instead of a sentence in jail or prison. instead of a sentence in jail or prison. They must be monitored and follow They must be monitored and follow the court’s terms or they will go to the court’s terms or they will go to jail. jail.