Legal Terms: S

A tax election under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code allowing eligible corporations to be taxed as pass-through entities, avoiding double taxation.

A federal law protecting public drinking water supplies by establishing standards for drinking water quality and regulating underground injection of contaminants.

A consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and certain services, collected by the seller at the point of sale.

A penalty or punitive measure imposed by a court for violations of rules, orders, or standards of conduct.

A 2002 federal law establishing enhanced financial disclosure requirements and corporate governance standards for public companies in response to accounting scandals.

The examination of a person's property by law enforcement and the taking of evidence. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

A court order authorizing law enforcement to search a specific location for specific evidence of a crime, based on probable cause.

The principal antifraud provision under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prohibiting any act of fraud or deceit in connection with the purchase or sale of securities.

The constitutional amendment protecting the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.

An IRS provision allowing businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and software in the year of purchase, rather than depreciating it over time.

A creditor whose claim is secured by a lien on or security interest in the debtor's property, giving the creditor priority over unsecured creditors.

A debt backed by collateral (property) that the creditor can seize if the debtor defaults.

The Securities Act of 1933, which requires registration of securities offerings and mandates disclosure of material information to investors.

Any deceptive practice in connection with the sale or purchase of securities, including misrepresentation, market manipulation, and insider trading.

Administrative, physical, and technical measures required under the HIPAA Security Rule to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information.

The federal policy promoting tribal control over programs and services previously administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, established by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

A tax consisting of Social Security and Medicare taxes paid by individuals who work for themselves, equivalent to both the employer and employee portions.

The act of providing testimony or evidence that exposes oneself to criminal prosecution. The Fifth Amendment protects against compelled self-incrimination.

The punishment imposed by a court on a person convicted of a crime, which may include imprisonment, fines, probation, or community service.

The isolation of a jury from outside contact during deliberation, or the court-ordered seizure of property to preserve it during litigation.

The formal delivery of legal documents (summons, complaint) to a defendant or party, notifying them of legal proceedings and establishing the court's jurisdiction.

A federal law providing legal protections to active-duty military members, including reduced interest rates, stay of proceedings, and protection from default judgments.

A zoning regulation specifying the minimum distance a building must be from a property line, street, or other structure.

A defendant's right to reduce the plaintiff's claim by an amount the plaintiff owes the defendant, arising from a different transaction.

An agreement between parties to resolve a dispute without a full trial, often involving the payment of money in exchange for dismissal of claims.

The constitutional amendment preserving the right to a jury trial in civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds twenty dollars.

A contract between an employer and a departing employee providing compensation or benefits in exchange for a release of legal claims against the employer.

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects employment or creates a hostile work environment.

An owner of shares (stock) in a corporation, entitled to dividends and voting rights proportional to their ownership stake.

The sale of a security that the seller does not own, borrowed from a broker, with the expectation that the price will decline so it can be repurchased at a lower price.

Profit from the sale of an asset held for one year or less, taxed as ordinary income at the taxpayer's marginal rate.

Latin for 'without which not.' An essential condition or element without which something cannot exist or occur.

The constitutional amendment guaranteeing criminal defendants the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, notice of charges, confrontation of witnesses, and counsel.

A form of defamation involving false spoken statements that harm a person's reputation. Distinguished from libel, which involves written statements.

A legal principle preventing a person who intentionally kills another from inheriting from or benefiting from the victim's estate.

A Chapter 11 debtor with total noncontingent debts not exceeding a statutory threshold, subject to streamlined procedures and shorter deadlines.

A court with simplified procedures and low filing fees that handles minor civil disputes, typically involving amounts below $5,000-$10,000.

A business owned and operated by a single individual, with no legal separation between the owner and the business.

The supreme authority within a territory; in the U.S., sovereignty resides in the people and is exercised through federal and state governments.

The legal doctrine that the government cannot be sued without its consent, derived from the principle that the sovereign is immune from legal action.

An intermediate level of military court with jurisdiction over most UCMJ offenses, authorized to impose limited punishments including confinement and discharge.

An equitable remedy requiring a party to fulfill their contractual obligations, typically ordered when monetary damages are inadequate (e.g., unique property sales).

The written description portion of a patent application that describes the invention in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use it.

Regulations requiring facilities storing significant quantities of oil to prepare and implement plans to prevent oil spills into navigable waters.

Financial payments made by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce to maintain their standard of living. Also called alimony or maintenance.

The senior legal adviser to a military commander, responsible for providing legal counsel on all matters affecting the command.

A person or entity with an interest in or affected by a course of action, transaction, or legal proceeding.

A fixed dollar amount that reduces taxable income for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions, with the amount varying by filing status.

The degree of care and skill that a reasonably competent healthcare provider in the same specialty would exercise under similar circumstances.

The legal requirement that a party bringing a lawsuit must have a sufficient connection to and harm from the issue, demonstrating a personal stake in the outcome.

Latin for 'to stand by things decided.' The legal principle obligating courts to follow precedent established by prior decisions on similar issues.

A federal statute prohibiting physicians from referring patients for designated health services to entities with which the physician has a financial relationship, unless an exception applies.

A plan developed by each state to implement the requirements of the Clean Air Act for attaining and maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

A document filed by the debtor in bankruptcy disclosing recent financial transactions, lawsuits, and other matters relevant to the case.

A law enacted by a legislative body (Congress, state legislature, or local council).

A legal principle requiring certain types of contracts to be in writing to be enforceable, including contracts for the sale of land and agreements lasting more than one year.

A law prescribing the maximum time period within which a legal action must be filed. The period varies by type of claim and jurisdiction.

The time period during which the IRS can assess additional taxes or a taxpayer can claim a refund, generally three years from the filing date.

A court order suspending or halting legal proceedings or the enforcement of a judgment. In bankruptcy, the automatic stay stops creditor collection actions.

A contractual right granted by a company to buy or sell its stock at a predetermined price within a specified period.

A permit required under the Clean Water Act for discharges of stormwater from construction sites, industrial facilities, and municipal separate storm sewer systems.

Legal responsibility for damages or injury without proof of negligence or intent. Applied in product liability cases and abnormally dangerous activities.

A streamlined reorganization process under Chapter 11 for small business debtors, introduced by the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019.

An agreement placing one creditor's claim or lien behind another's in priority.

A court order requiring a person to appear as a witness or produce documents. A subpoena duces tecum specifically requires the production of documents.

The substitution of one party for another regarding a legal claim or right, allowing the substituting party to pursue the claim.

The constitutional doctrine protecting fundamental rights from government interference, regardless of the procedures used.

Law that defines rights, duties, and obligations, as distinguished from procedural law, which governs the process of enforcing those rights.

A person or entity that takes over the rights, obligations, or property of another, such as a corporate successor or heir.

A FINRA rule requiring broker-dealers to have a reasonable basis for believing that a recommended transaction or investment strategy is suitable for the customer.

The lowest level of military court, consisting of one commissioned officer, with jurisdiction over minor offenses and limited sentencing authority.

A court decision made without a full trial when the judge determines there is no genuine dispute of material fact and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

A notice served on a defendant informing them that a lawsuit has been filed and requiring them to appear in court or respond within a specified time.

The federal program established by CERCLA to identify, investigate, and clean up hazardous waste sites across the United States.

A bond posted by the appellant to stay (delay) the execution of a judgment during the appeal process.

A secondary trademark register at the USPTO for marks that are not inherently distinctive but may acquire distinctiveness through use over time.

Article VI of the Constitution establishing that federal law is the supreme law of the land and takes precedence over conflicting state laws.

The highest court in the United States (and in most state judicial systems), serving as the final arbiter of constitutional and federal legal questions.

A person or entity that assumes responsibility for the debt, obligation, or performance of another party. A surety bond guarantees performance.

A professional measurement and mapping of a parcel of real property to determine its boundaries, area, and features.

When a judge agrees with an objection during trial, preventing the challenged evidence or question from being presented.