Jail

Place of local confinement for those awaiting trial while not on bond and those convicted of misdemeanors.

Joinder

The combination of several different charges of criminal actions into one case. Or, when two or more persons join together as defendants or plaintiffs.

Joint and several liability

When two or more persons in a civil case share legal responsibility for an act, and each separately can be held fully responsible for the act.

Judge

An official of the judicial branch with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts.

Judgment

The official decision of a court finally resolving the dispute between parties to a lawsuit.

Justice

One of the seven members of the Supreme Court of Ohio, or one of the nine members of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a certain type of case.

Jurisprudence

The study of law and the structure of the legal system.

Jury

The group of persons selected to hear the evidence in a trial and decide a verdict based on the facts.

Jury instructions

A judge’s directions to the jury on the questions it must answer and the legal rules it must apply.

The CNO Legal Glossary is part of an ongoing effort to educate the public about the courts and explain the legal system. The glossary is an evolving, interactive public resource. CNO encourages readers to send in their ideas for words and phrases to be considered for inclusion in the glossary. Submit your suggestions to CNO@sc.ohio.gov. The content of the CNO Legal Glossary does not represent the legal views of the court and is not considered or consulted by the justices in case deliberations.