CIVICS

Abuse

Definition

1) Abuse, generally: physically, sexually, or mentally injuring a person.

2) Child abuse: physically, sexually, or mentally injuring a child either with intent or through neglect.

3) Substance abuse: excessively using or misusing...

Any method of depreciation used by businesses for accounting or tax purposes that allows greater deductions in the earlier years of the life of a company asset, as opposed to the straight-line depreciation method.

Accelerated...

Accompanying Relative

An accompanying relative is the spouse or child (under the age of 21) of the holder of an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa, who is accompanying them to the U.S.

Accord

Definition

1) A harmonious agreement, especially between countries.

2) An offer to substitute a different obligation for one that was previously owed, plus the acceptance of that offer. Either of the parties involved can propose an accord. If...

Acquisition of Citizenship

Acquisition of citizenship refers to the mechanism by which certain foreign-born children acquire citizenship automatically by virtue of being born to parents who are U.S. citizens. Pursuant to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, if a child satisfies...

Act

Something done or performed by a person or body (such as a court). Formal product of a legislative body that becomes part of the law. An act may or may not concern a single subject (e.g., air quality). Acts codified in the United States Code can be...

Ad Hoc

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary(ad-hock Latin shorthand meaning "for this purpose only." Thus, an ad hoc committee is formed for a specific purpose, usually to solve a particular problem. An ad hoc attorney is one hired to handle one...

Ad Valorem

A Latin term meaning "according to [the] value [of something]". The term is used in taxation to designate taxes levied against property, real or personal, at a certain rate based upon the property's value.

An ad valorem tax is levied according...

Ad Valorem Tax

Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law DictionaryA tax that is calculated according to value of property, based on an assigned valuation of a piece of real estate or personal property. Local property tax and sales tax are common examples. An ad valorem...

Adequate and Independent State Grounds

Refers to the standard used by the Supreme Court to determine if it will hear a case from a state court. The Supreme Court will hear a case from a state court only if the state court judgment turned on federal grounds. It will refuse jurisdiction if...