A legal institution that resolves disputes through a process of law. Courts are the central mechanism for people to seek justice, and they are a fundamental element of any society. Courts settle a wide range of disputes, including claims between private parties, between the government and individuals or businesses, and between citizens and the government.
Courts are given a practical authority known as jurisdiction (from the Latin iuris, meaning “law”) to decide whether someone has committed a crime and, if so, how that person should be punished. This power is essential to a functioning democracy, since disputes are inherently messy and difficult to resolve without the impartial guidance of the courts.
The court that hears and determines cases involving the rights of individuals, companies, and organizations to property or other things of value. Courts also adjudicate criminal cases and issues related to immigration.
A nine-member commission that investigates allegations of misconduct by judges and mental or physical disability affecting a judge’s ability to perform his or her duties. The commission’s recommendations are reported to the Supreme Judicial Court.
The age at which a person is considered to be an adult, generally eighteen. The age of majority can be used to determine certain rights and obligations, such as the right to vote or the obligation to pay taxes.
A written agreement that settles a dispute. Courts sometimes use arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences to help people reach a mutually acceptable agreement.