Legal Terms: U

A nonimmigrant visa for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice, the federal law that governs the military justice system and defines criminal offenses and procedures for members of the U.S. armed forces.

Latin for 'beyond the powers.' An act performed by a corporation or government body that exceeds its legal authority.

A contract defense where the terms are so one-sided and unfair that no reasonable person would agree to them. Courts may refuse to enforce unconscionable contracts.

A tank and any connected piping with at least 10 percent of their volume underground, regulated under RCRA to prevent releases of petroleum and hazardous substances.

A financial intermediary, typically an investment bank, that helps a company issue and sell new securities to the public.

A defense to the reasonable accommodation requirement under the ADA, where an employer demonstrates that the accommodation would impose significant difficulty or expense.

Excessive pressure or manipulation exerted over a person, impairing their free will and inducing them to act in the influencer's favor, often in contracts or wills.

A joint federal-state program providing temporary income to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own while they search for new employment.

Conduct by an employer or union that violates the rights established under the National Labor Relations Act, subject to complaint before the NLRB.

A comprehensive set of laws governing commercial transactions in the United States, including the sale of goods, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions.

A legal principle preventing one party from benefiting at another's expense without justification, giving rise to a claim for restitution.

Any action by a military authority that could improperly influence the outcome of a court-martial or other military justice proceeding, considered the mortal enemy of military justice.

Time spent in the United States without authorization or after an authorized period of stay has expired, which may trigger bars to future admission.

A creditor whose claim is not backed by collateral or a lien, ranking lower in priority than secured creditors in bankruptcy distributions.

Debt not backed by collateral, such as credit card debt and medical bills. In bankruptcy, unsecured creditors are paid after secured creditors.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency that administers the nation's lawful immigration system, processing visa petitions, naturalizations, and asylum applications.

A tax imposed on the use, storage, or consumption of tangible personal property purchased from an out-of-state seller where no sales tax was collected.

The practice of charging an illegally high rate of interest on a loan, prohibited by state usury laws.

The most common type of patent, protecting new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter for 20 years from the filing date.

The process by which a health plan evaluates the medical necessity and appropriateness of healthcare services before, during, or after they are provided.