Jail: A local government’s detention center where persons awaiting trial or those convicted of misdemeanors are confined.

John/Jane Doe: Fictional names used to identify persons in a hypothetical situation in order to explain an issue; name used when a person refused to identify himself/herself or when a person cannot be identified.

Judgment: A court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties in a case.

Jurisdiction: The power of a court to question facts, apply law, make decisions and judgments.

Jury: A group, composed of the peers of the parties or a cross section of the community, summoned and sworn to decide on the facts in issue at a trial.

Jury Trial: The determination of a case by a jury.

Justice Court: A court of statutorily limited civil jurisdiction and who is also a protector of the peace with limited jurisdiction in minor criminal proceedings. This office has been abolished in most states, with similar powers transferred to municipal or district courts.

Justice of the Peace: A judge who handles minor legal matters such as misdemeanors, small claims actions and traffic matters in “justice courts”.