Judicial Branch of Georgia :: Self Help Resources

Arraignment	When a person that is accused of committing a crime is: taken to court told about the charges, and asked to plead "guilty" or "not guilty"
Annulment	A legal action that says your marriage was never legally valid, for example, in cases of incest, bigamy, or being too young to consent.
Complaint (or petition)	A document filed with the Court to initiate a case by one party against another party for relief.
Default judgment	Judgment entered against a party who has failed to answer or defend against a claim that has been brought by another party
Equity	A system of law that supplements the statutory and case law and is administered according to fairness.
Indigent	This term usually refers to a person who is needy and poor, and has no one to look to for support.
In forma pauperis	An affidavit made by an indigent person seeking free public assistance
Motion	A formal request by a party to have the Court rule on one or more of the issues involved in a case.
Jurisdiction	(1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case; (2) the geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases; (3) the territory, subject matter, or persons over which lawful authority may be exercised by a court.