Common Legal Terminology
Petit jury (or trial jury) -
- A group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Federal criminal juries consist of 12 persons. Federal civil juries consist of at least six persons.
Petition -
- The document that initiates the filing of a bankruptcy proceeding, setting forth basic information regarding the debtor, including name, address, chapter under which the case is filed, and estimated amount of assets and liabilities.
Petition preparer -
- A business not authorized to practice law that prepares bankruptcy petitions.
Petty offense -
- A federal misdemeanor punishable by six months or less in prison.
Plaintiff -
- A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.
Plan -
- A debtor’s detailed description of how the debtor proposes to pay creditors’ claims over a fixed period of time.
Plea -
- In a criminal case, the defendant’s statement pleading “guilty” or “not guilty” in answer to the charges. See also nolo contendere.
Pleadings -
- Written statements filed with the court that describe a party’s legal or factual assertions about the case.
Postpetition transfer -
- A transfer of the debtor’s property made after the commencement of the case.
Prebankruptcy planning -
- The arrangement (or rearrangement) of a debtor’s property to allow the debtor to take maximum advantage of exemptions. (Prebankruptcy planning typically includes converting nonexempt assets into exempt assets.)
All terms and definitions on this page are from uscourts.gov/glossary (April 13, 2020)