Glossary
A B C D E
F G H I J L
M N O
P Q R
S T U
V W
H
habeas corpus petition - In federal court, a
means by which a state prisoner may challenge the constitutionality of his or her
conviction and imprisonment.
harmless error - In appellate practice, an error
committed by a trial court during a trial, but not harmful to the rights of the party and
for which the court will not reverse the judgment.
hearing - Any form of judicial, quasi-judicial or legislative
proceeding at which issues are heard, or testimony taken.
hearing on the merits - A hearing before a court
on the legal questions at issue, as opposed to procedural questions.
hearsay - Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the
incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not
admissible as evidence in court.
holding - The legal conclusion or principle that provides the
basis for a court's judgment.
holographic will - A handwritten will.
hostile witness - A witness who is subject to
cross-examination by the party who called him or her to testify, because of his or her
evident antagonism toward that party as exhibited in his or her direct examination.
hung jury - A jury that is unable to reach a unanimous
verdict.
