Harassment A series of acts over any period of time
that is directed at a specific person; would cause
a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed or harassed and in fact seriously alarms, annoys or
harasses the person and serves no legitimate purpose.
Injunction Against Harassment (IAH): A court order directing a person to stop harassing,
annoying or alarming another person. Injunctions may be used for disputes against neighbors, strangers and
people who are or were dating. The injunction against harassment differs from the order of protection in that
exclusive use of the home cannot be ordered and the police are not mandated to serve the injunction.
Injunction Against Workplace Harassment (IAWH): A court order sought by an employer for relief
on behalf of all employees at the workplace, anyone who enters the employer's property and anyone who is
performing official work duties. This allows the inclusion of a number of people under the protective umbrella
of this injunction; the "personal" injunction against harassment is usually between two people. In this
instance, harassment is defined as a single threat or act of physical harm or damage or a series of acts over
a period of time that would cause a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed or annoyed.
Harassment Petition The document filed by a party asking
for an injunction against any act of harassment
by another party, not applicable if a previous or current family relationship exists.Hearing A procedure before a judge sitting without a
jury during which evidence may be presented and
witnesses heard to determine an issue and come to a decision generally on a less formal basis than in a trial.
Evidentiary Hearing: The presentation of facts and evidence to the court to decide an issue.
Sentencing Hearing: A hearing to formally pronounce sentence upon a defendant.
Supersedeas Bond: A hearing to formally pronounce sentence upon a defendant.
Aggravation Hearing: A hearing held prior to sentencing to make a finding of aggravating or
negative circumstances that would extend the length or increase the terms of a defendant's sentence.
Mitigation Hearing: A hearing held prior to sentencing to make a finding of mitigating or
positive circumstances that would shorten the length or decrease the terms of a defendant's sentence.
Trial: The formal presentation of facts and evidence to a court or jury in order to reach a
Trial de Novo: A new trial held upon appeal from a non-record court or from appeal of an
Petit (Trial) Jury: The group of people selected to decide the facts and render a verdict in a
civil or criminal trial.
Hearsay Testimony given by a witness who relates
not what he or she knows personally but what others
have said.Heirs Persons, including the surviving spouse and
the state, who are entitled under the statutes of
intestate succession to the property of a decedent.return to top