Legal Terms: G

A common abbreviation for guardian ad litem, the court-appointed representative tasked with investigating and advocating for the best interests of a minor or incapacitated person.

A rule from Arizona v. Gant limiting vehicle searches incident to arrest to situations where the arrestee can reach the passenger compartment or evidence of the offense may be found.

A court-ordered process that directs a third party (typically an employer or bank) to withhold money from a debtor's wages or accounts to pay a creditor.

The trial judge's duty under Daubert to screen expert testimony for reliability and fit before allowing it to reach the jury.

A gift in a will payable from the general assets of the estate rather than a particular source, such as a sum of money not tied to a specific account.

The most serious level of military court, with jurisdiction over all UCMJ offenses and the authority to impose any punishment authorized by the code, including death.

A mental state requiring only that the defendant intended to perform the prohibited act, without proof of any further specific purpose.

The authority of a court to hear any type of case, unless specifically excluded by law.

All-purpose personal jurisdiction permitting suit for any claim against a defendant whose contacts with the forum are so continuous and systematic as to render it 'at home,' per Daimler v. Bauman.

A term that refers to the genus or class of goods itself (such as 'aspirin' for pain reliever) and is never entitled to trademark protection.

The loss of trademark rights when a mark becomes the generic name for a category of goods (such as 'escalator' or 'aspirin'), making it unprotectable.

A federal law prohibiting discrimination in employment and health insurance based on an individual's genetic information.

Four international treaties and their additional protocols establishing the standards of international law for humanitarian treatment during armed conflict.

A factual disagreement that a reasonable jury could resolve in favor of the non-moving party, defeating summary judgment under Anderson v. Liberty Lobby.

A prompt judicial determination of probable cause required for any extended pretrial detention following a warrantless arrest, per Gerstein v. Pugh.

A 1963 Supreme Court decision holding that the Sixth Amendment requires states to provide counsel to indigent defendants in felony cases.

A federal tax on transfers of property from one individual to another for less than full consideration, with an annual exclusion amount and a lifetime exemption.

A federal transfer tax imposed on lifetime gifts under IRC Sections 2501-2524, integrated with the estate tax through a unified credit and rate structure.

Impeachment evidence concerning government witnesses, such as plea deals or credibility issues, that must be disclosed under Giglio v. United States.

The value of a business as a continuing operating enterprise, reflecting future cash flows, rather than the liquidation value of its assets.

Contractual provisions providing substantial compensation to executives upon a change of control, including severance, accelerated equity, and bonuses, subject to Section 280G tax limits.

An honest and sincere intention to deal fairly and without taking unfair advantage. A legal concept applied in contracts, negotiations, and insurance.

A statutory eligibility prerequisite for naturalization and several forms of relief from removal, requiring that the applicant have behaved in conformance with community standards during a statutory period.

A law protecting people who voluntarily provide emergency assistance to an injured person from liability for unintentional harm.

A doctrine permitting admission of evidence seized under a warrant later found defective, where officers reasonably relied on the warrant's validity.

A form of electronic monitoring using satellite tracking to record an offender's precise location continuously, often used for high-risk supervisees.

A panel of citizens that examines evidence presented by a prosecutor and decides whether there is sufficient probable cause to indict a person for a crime.

A body of citizens convened to investigate criminal conduct and decide whether sufficient evidence exists to indict, conducting proceedings in secret.

A compulsory process issued by a grand jury requiring a witness to appear and testify or produce documents in connection with its investigation.

A formal notice from prosecutors to a person identified as a target of grand jury investigation, advising of the investigation and offering opportunity to testify.

Theft of property above a certain monetary threshold, classified as a felony. The threshold varies by state.

A statutory right in many states by which grandparents may petition the court for visitation with a grandchild, subject to constitutional deference to fit parents' decisions.

A person who receives property or rights through a deed or other legal instrument.

A person who transfers property or rights to another party. In trusts, the grantor creates the trust and transfers assets into it.

A trust in which the grantor retains sufficient control or beneficial interest under IRC Sections 671-679 that trust income is taxed to the grantor rather than the trust or beneficiaries.

A grantor retained annuity trust under IRC Section 2702 in which the grantor transfers assets and retains an annuity for a term of years, with remaining trust assets passing to beneficiaries free of gift tax if structured properly.

Informal term for a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), which evidences lawful permanent resident status in the United States.

The common name for a lawful permanent resident card, entitling the holder to live and work permanently in the United States.

Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change, increasingly subject to environmental regulation.

All income from whatever source derived, including wages, interest, dividends, business income, and capital gains, before any deductions or exemptions.

A conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, involving a greater degree of carelessness than ordinary negligence.

A long-term lease of land on which the tenant is permitted to construct improvements, with ownership of the land remaining with the lessor.

The legal basis or foundation for a lawsuit, motion, or argument.

The federal generation-skipping transfer tax imposed at the highest estate tax rate on transfers to skip persons (persons two or more generations below the transferor), in addition to gift or estate tax.

A person appointed by a court to make decisions on behalf of someone who is unable to do so themselves, such as a minor or incapacitated adult.

A person appointed by a court to represent the best interests of a child or incapacitated adult during legal proceedings.

A person, often an attorney or trained volunteer, appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child or incapacitated party in litigation.

A verdict finding that the defendant committed the crime charged. Also, the plea a defendant may enter acknowledging guilt.