Let’s be honest. Even though courtrooms in the U.S. speak English, it can be hard to understand specific terms used in court.

This post is to help explain common courtroom procedure and terms.

File – To submit a document to the court.

Petitioner – The person who filed first with the court.  In a Divorce case, if a Wife filed for a divorce against her Husband, she is the Petitioner. There is no benefit to filing first.

Respondent – The person who was filed against.  In the previous example, if the Wife is the Petitioner, the Husband is the Respondent. There is no detriment to being filed against.

Party – Sorry, no Pinatas here.  A party, in the courtroom, is the person/people on either side of the case.  Each case usually has two parties: the Petitioner and the Respondent.

Counsel – The Lawyer who is representing a party.

Alimony – One party could be ordered to pay an amount of money to the other party on a monthly basis. This is usually ordered to help support the other party.  Alimony is the same idea as child support, but for the ex-spouse. This is also referred to as: Spousal Support.

Child Support – One parent may be ordered to pay the custodial parent of their children a certain amount of money each month. This is to help support the children.

Decree – A decision made by the court

Ex Parte – Pleading signed by only one party.  Examples of Ex Parte orders may include: Protective Orders, and Orders to Show Cause.

Motion – A  request for the court to execute an action. Common examples of Motions are: Motion to Modify Decree of Divorce, Motion to Modify Parent Time, and Motion for Pre-Trial Conference.

Order to Show Cause – This order is given when an order from the court is disobeyed.  The party who infringed on the agreement is given an order to appear at court to explain why they disobeyed the order.

Perjury – When an individual lies under oath in a Court of Law. This is a felony and can be punishable by jail time.

Pleading – Formal statement filed with the court.

Restraining Order – A decree from the court for one party to stop, or limit, contact with the other party.

Protective Order –  An order from the court protecting one party from  actual or imminent danger expected from another party. Child Protective Orders are ordered to protect an individual’s children from such actual or imminent danger.

Subpoena – A summons to appear at court. These can be given by attorneys and by the court.

Void – Nullify or cancel.