Law lexicon
Bequeath - To give a gift to someone through a will.
Bequests - Gifts made in a will.
Best evidence - Primary evidence; the best evidence available. Evidence short of this is "secondary." That is, an original letter is "best evidence," and a photocopy is "secondary evidence."
Beyond a reasonable doubt - The standard in a criminal case requiring that the jury be satisfied to a moral certainty that every element of a crime has been proven by the prosecution. This standard of proof does not require that the state establish absolute certainty by eliminating all doubt, but it does require that the evidence be so conclusive that all reasonable doubts are removed from the mind of the ordinary person.
Bill of particulars - A statement of the details of the charge made against the defendant.
Bind over - To hold a person for trial on bond (bail) or in jail. If the judicial official conducting a hearing finds probable cause to believe the accused committed a crime, the official will bind over the accused, normally by setting bail for the accused's appearance at trial. (This is a state court procedure.)
Bond - A written agreement by which a person insures he will pay a certain sum of money if he does not perform certain duties property.
Bound supplement - A supplement to a book or books to update the service bound in permanent form.
Booking - The process of photographing, fingerprinting, and recording identifying data of a suspect. This process follows the arrest.
Breach - The breaking or violating of a law, right, or duty, either by commission or omission. The failure of one part to carry out any condition of a contract.
Breach of contract - An unjustified failure to perform when performance is due.
Brief - A written argument by counsel arguing a case, which contains a summary of the facts of the case, pertinent laws, and an argument of how the law applies to the fact situation. Also called a memorandum of law.
Burden of proof - In the law of evidence, the necessity or duty of affirmatively proving a fact or facts in dispute on an issue raised between the parties in a lawsuit. The responsibility of proving a point (the burden of proof). It deals with which side must establish a point or points. (See standard of proof.)
Burglary - The act of illegal entry with the intent to steal.
Business bankruptcy - A proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code filed by a business entity.
Bylaws - Rules or laws adopted by an association or corporation to govern its actions.
Source: Jurist International.
