Glossary of Terms
Family Place, Dallas
Dear Bronwyn, Thank you so much for coming to Dallas to provide training. Your presentation was very well received and extremely informative. We hope to host you again sometime in the future. I will look forward to our paths crossing agaain sometime soon. Thanks again!
Damages
An award of money to the winning party in a lawsuit. Actual damages are out-of-pocket expenses such as lost wages or hospital bills. Actual damages in some cases may include an award for psychological harm. Punitive damages are an award to punish the wrongful party for willful improper action.
Default judgment
A judgment made against someone who did not defend himself/herself against a claim. For example, someone asking the Court for a restraining order may get one by default judgment if the accused abuser does not come to court.
Defendant
Person with charges or a lawsuit against him or her. This term is used in both criminal and civil cases. (The defendant is also sometimes called the "respondent.")
Defense attorney
The lawyer who represents the defendant.
Defraud
To cheat or steal by false representation.
Delinquent
Person under 16 years old who commits a crime.
District attorney
The attorney(s) employed by the state to prosecute people for state criminal offenses. Also known as prosecutors, they represent the state. A city government may also have attorneys assigned to prosecute city charges. These people function like district attorneys on a local level.
Domestic Violence
The Texas Family Code (Sec. 71.004) defines "family violence" as:
--any act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household
--that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault or
--that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault....
Family violence also includes abuse by a member of a family or household toward a child of the family or household.
Actions taken to protect yourself or your children are not family violence if the court believes they are self-defense.
Under TX law, family violence also includes "dating violence." Dating violence is is defined in the Texas Family Code (Section 71.0021) as:
-- any act by an individual that is against another individual with whom that person has or has had a dating relationship and
--that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault
--or that is a threat that reasonably places the individual in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault.
"Dating relationship” means:
--a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.
To determine if a dating relationship exists, the judge will consider:
1. the length of the relationship;
2. the nature of the relationship; and
3. the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
Domicile
The place where you live.
