A collection of laws promulgated by legislative authority. West Virginia laws are published in the West Virginia Code.

A court order directing that an individual be kept in custody, usually in a penal or mental facility.

A system of jurisprudence based on precedent rather than statutory laws.

Change of punishment from a greater to a lesser degree or ending a sentence that has been partially served.

A civil lawsuit, filed in the magistrate or circuit courts.

Jurisdiction held by two courts over the same type of case (compare "exclusive jurisdiction").

A statement by an individual, either oral or written, admitting that he or she committed a certain offense (compare "admission").

Noncompliance with a court order or rule that affects another person and that is punished to compel compliance.

An act or omission that obstructs the orderly administration of justice or impairs the dignity, respect, or authority of the court and that is punished to vindicate the honor of the court.

A postponement or delay in a court proceeding granted by a court on either oral or written motion.

The body or material substance upon which crime has been committed; e.g., the corpse of a murdered person or the charred remains of a burned house.

Fees and charges required by law to be paid to the court, the amount of which is set by statue or court rule or by an administrator authorized by law to do so.

A separate charge in a charging document or separate cause of action in a civil complaint.

Highest appellate court. The Supreme Court of Appeals is West Virginia's court of last resort.

A criminal lawsuit with the State of West Virginia versus the defendant.

Questioning of a witness by the opposing side.

"Anew." A trial de novo is a completely new trial.

A judgment declaring the rights of the parties on a question of law.

Decision or order of the court. A final decree completes the suit; an interlocutory decree is provisional or preliminary.

Under the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, when a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead (i.e., answer) or otherwise defend, he or she is in default and a judgment by default may be entered either by the clerk or the court.