Nolo contendere means "no contest." This phrase translates from the Latin as "I do not wish to contend."
In a criminal proceeding, a defendant may enter a plea of nolo contendere, in which the defendant does not accept or...
criminal law and procedure
non-testifying expert witnesses
A non-testifying expert witness is an individual possessing specialized knowledge, skills, and experience relevant to a particular case “who has been retained or specially employed by another party in anticipation of litigation or to prepare...
nullum crimen sine lege
Nullum crimen sine lege is Latin for "no crime without law." The phrase reflects the principle in criminal law and international criminal law that a person cannot or should not face criminal punishment except for an act that was criminalized...
O.R.
O.R. is an abbreviation for “own recognizance.” O.R. refers to the release of a criminal defendant without posting bail, based on a written promise by the defendant to appear in court when required to do so.
Courts and...
objection
An objection is a formal protest raised by a party or counsel during a legal proceeding asserting that an error, contrary to the rules of evidence or other procedural law, has been or will be made. The purpose of an objection is to provide...
obstruction of justice
Obstruction of justice broadly refers to actions by individuals that illegally prevent or influence the outcome of a government proceeding. While the quintessential example of obstruction of justice involves tampering in a judicial proceeding...
omission
Omission is refraining from acting or disclosing, see Brown v. Standard Casket Mfg. Co..
It can be used in various situations:
"Failure to disclose the origin of a recording” in criminal law is defined as following: “...opening statement
Overview
The opening statement is a lawyer’s first opportunity to address the jury in a trial. Generally, the party who bears the burden of proof (plaintiff in a civil case or prosecution in a criminal case) begins the opening statements,...
order to show cause
An order to show cause (O.S.C.), is a court order or the demand of a judge requiring a party to justify or explain why the court should or should not grant a motion or a relief. For example, if a party requests a restraining order from a...
outlaw
Historically, the term “outlaw” was used to refer to a person who was outside of the protection of the law. An accused criminal who refused to submit to legal process was declared to be an outlaw through a process called “outlawry.” As a...