111. Affirmative Defense

part of an answer to a charge or complaint in which a defendant takes the offense and responds to the allegations with his or her own charges

112. Affirmative Action

The process of a business or governmental agency in which it gives special rights of hiring or advancement to ethnic minoritiesan class="ecxApple-converted-space"> an>

113. Affirm

1) to offer a declaration of support in a judicial capacity 2) what an appeals court does if it agrees with and confirms a lower court's decision 3) to state positivelyan class="ecxApple-converted-space"> an>

114. Affidavit

1) any written document in which the signer swears under oath before a notary public or someone authorized to take oaths that the statements in the document are true 2) In many states, a declaration under penalty of perjury, which does not require the oath-taking before a notary, is the equivalent of an affidavit

115. Affiant

person who signs an affidavit and swears to its truth before a notary public or some person authorized to take oaths, like a county clerk

116. Advocacy

act of favoring or supporting a body of work or individual

117. Advisory Opinion

an opinion stated by a judge or a court upon the request of a legislative body or government agency; an advisory opinion has no force of law but is given as a matter of courtesy

118. Adverse Witness

a witness in a trial who is found by the judge to be adverse to the position of the party whose attorney is questioning the witness, even thought he attorney called the witness to testify on his client

119. Adverse Possession

means to acquire title to land through obvious occupancy of the land, while claiming ownership for the period of years set by the law of the state where the property exists

120. Adverse Party

opposite side in a lawsuit