upheld

Definition

When a higher court agrees with a lower court's decision, essentially saying "yeah, they got it right the first time" and dashing the hopes of whoever appealed. It's the judicial equivalent of your boss backing up your manager's decision after you complained to HR. Once upheld, the original ruling stands and everyone moves on (whether they like it or not).

Example Usage

The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling, ending the defendant's last chance at appeal.

Source: Legal terminology via standard dictionary definition

Related Terms

Intermediate

de minimis

Latin for 'the law doesn't care about trivial nonsense,' used to dismiss claims so petty that court time would be wasted addressing them. It's a judge's polite way of saying 'are you seriously suing over this?'

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Advanced

pro tanto

Latin for 'for so much' or 'to that extent,' used to describe partial payment or credit. When you can't pay everything, pro tanto means you paid what you could.

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Beginner

Cease and Desist

A strongly worded letter that is the legal equivalent of your mom using your full name when she is angry. It demands you stop doing something immediately, or else they will send an even more strongly worded letter.

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Intermediate

appellant

The party who lost in a lower court and refuses to accept defeat, instead hauling their grievances up to a higher court for a second opinion. Armed with briefs and appeals, the appellant argues that the trial judge got it wrong, made legal errors, or was possibly asleep during critical testimony. They're essentially asking for a do-over, though appeals courts are notoriously stingy about granting them.

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Intermediate

punitive damages

Extra money awarded not to compensate victims but to punish defendants for particularly egregious behavior. It's the court's way of saying 'that was so awful, we're going to make an example of you.'

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Intermediate

venire

The pool of prospective jurors summoned to court from which the jury is selected, Latin for 'to come.' Essentially a random collection of citizens hoping their number isn't called.

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