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Glossary

Negligence
Failure to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances.
Next friend
One acting without formal appointment as guardian for the benefit of an infant, a person of unsound mind not judicially declared incompetent, or other person under some disability.
No - contest clause
Language in a will that provides that a person who makes a legal challenge to the will’s validity will be disinherited.
No - fault proceedings
A civil case in which parties may resolve their dispute without a formal finding of error or fault .
No information
Document which states no formal charge will be filed by the State Attorney.
No probable cause
Insufficient grounds to hold the person who was arrested.
No true bill
A finding by a grand jury that there is no probable cause to decide that a crime has been committed.
Nolle prosequi
The State Attorney declines to prosecute but may still initiate prosecution within one year.
Nolo contendere
A person neither admits nor denies the charges, letting them stand as is.
Non - jury trial
A case tried by a judge
Notice
Formal notification to the party that has been sued in a civil case of the fact that the lawsuit has been filed. Also, any form of notification of a legal proceeding.
Nunc pro tunc
An entry made now for an act done previously and to have the effect as if it were done on a prior date.
Nuncupative will
An oral (unwritten) will.