Legal Terms: F

A nonimmigrant visa for foreign students enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution in the United States.

A HIPAA Security Rule physical safeguard requiring covered entities to implement policies and procedures to limit physical access to electronic information systems and facilities.

The person or body (judge or jury) responsible for determining the facts in a legal proceeding.

The primary federal law establishing minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards for employees in the private sector and government.

The price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither under compulsion, and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.

A legal doctrine allowing limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research.

A doctrine in copyright law permitting limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research.

A federal statute imposing liability on persons and entities that defraud governmental programs, including healthcare fraud, with treble damages and per-claim penalties.

The unlawful restraint of a person's freedom of movement without their consent and without legal authority.

A federal law requiring covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specified family and medical reasons.

A court established under the U.S. Constitution to hear cases involving federal law, constitutional issues, and disputes between citizens of different states.

A federal statute governing the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides, requiring EPA registration of all pesticide products.

A case arising under the Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties, giving federal courts subject-matter jurisdiction.

An Indian tribe acknowledged by the federal government as having a government-to-government relationship with the United States, eligible for federal programs and services.

The most complete form of ownership of real property, giving the owner the right to use, possess, and dispose of the land without limitation.

An estate in land that can be defeated or terminated upon the occurrence of a specified event or condition.

The process by which the federal government acquires private land and places it into trust status for the benefit of an Indian tribe, removing it from state and local jurisdiction.

A serious crime typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or death. Examples include murder, robbery, and burglary.

A legal rule holding a participant in a felony criminally liable for any death that occurs during the commission of the felony.

A person or entity that holds a position of trust and has a legal obligation to act in the best interest of another party.

A legal obligation of one party to act in the best interest of another, requiring utmost good faith, trust, and loyalty.

The obligation of investment advisers and broker-dealers to act in the best interest of their clients when providing investment advice or managing assets.

The constitutional amendment providing protections against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process.

The formal submission of legal documents to a court to initiate or continue a legal proceeding.

A classification that determines the tax rate, standard deduction, and eligibility for certain credits, including single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying widow(er).

A court's last action that fully resolves all issues in a case, making it eligible for appeal.

A document issued by a federal agency when an environmental assessment determines that a proposed action will not significantly affect the environment, eliminating the need for a full EIS.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a self-regulatory organization that oversees broker-dealers and enforces compliance with securities rules.

The constitutional amendment protecting freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Personal property that has been attached to real property in such a way that it becomes part of the real property.

A classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act that exempts certain employees from minimum wage and overtime requirements based on their job duties and salary level.

An employer's adverse action against an employee for exercising their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

A clause in a contract that frees parties from liability when extraordinary events beyond their control prevent performance, such as natural disasters or wars.

The legal process by which a lender seizes and sells property when the borrower fails to make mortgage payments.

A legal process by which a lender seizes and sells real property to recover the balance of a defaulted loan secured by a mortgage or deed of trust.

A credit allowing U.S. taxpayers to reduce their federal tax liability by the amount of income taxes paid or accrued to a foreign country.

The crime of making, altering, or possessing a false document with the intent to defraud.

An annual report filed with the SEC providing a comprehensive summary of a public company's financial performance, including audited financial statements.

A quarterly report filed with the SEC containing unaudited financial statements and a continuing view of a company's financial position.

A series of IRS information returns used to report various types of income other than wages, salaries, and tips, including independent contractor payments and investment income.

The court or jurisdiction where a case is heard.

The practice of choosing a court or jurisdiction that is most likely to provide a favorable outcome.

The constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizenship to all persons born in the U.S., due process of law, and equal protection of the laws.

A license granted by a company (franchisor) to an individual or group (franchisee) to operate a business using the company's brand, products, and systems.

Intentional deception or misrepresentation made with the intent to deprive another person of property or a legal right.

A conveyance of property made with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud creditors, or made without receiving reasonably equivalent value while the debtor was insolvent.

The First Amendment right protecting individuals from government censorship of their expression, subject to certain limited exceptions.

The fundamental policy underlying consumer bankruptcy, allowing honest debtors to eliminate overwhelming debts and begin anew.

Lacking any legal merit or factual basis. Courts may impose sanctions for filing frivolous claims.

The constitutional requirement that each state honor the legislative acts, public records, and judicial decisions of every other state.

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act, imposing a payroll tax on employers to fund state unemployment insurance programs and the federal share of extended benefits.