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OVERRULE AN OBJECTION: During examination of witnesses at trial, if a party objects to
evidence being admitted or a question being asked, the judge may overrule the objection. This
means that the evidence will be admitted, or the question may be asked, unless the judge later
sustains a different objection.
PACER SYSTEM: “Public Access to Electronic Court Records” is an internet database where
docket information is stored.
PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE: During jury selection, after all the jurors challenged for cause
have been excused, the parties will have an opportunity to request that additional jurors be
excused without having to give any reason for the request
PERJURY: A false statement made under oath, punishable as a crime.
PERMISSIVE COUNTERCLAIM: A claim by the defendant against the plaintiff that is not
based on the same events or transactions as the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant.
PHYSICAL OR MENTAL EXAMINATION: If the physical or mental condition of a party
(or a person under the custody or legal control of a party) is at issue in a lawsuit, the Court may
order that person to have a physical or mental examination by a medical professional such as a
physician or psychiatrist; unlike other discovery procedures, physical or mental examinations can
be obtained only by filing a motion with the court, or by agreement of the parties.
PLEADINGS, PLEADING PAPER: Formal documents that are filed with the court, especially
initial filings such as complaints and answers. Pleadings and most other court filings are written
on pleading paper, which in this Court is letter-sized paper with the line numbers 1 through 28
running down the left side.
PLAINTIFF: The person who filed the complaint and claims to be injured by a violation of the
law.
PLAINTIFF’S TABLE: In the center of the courtroom, there are two long tables and chairs
where the lawyers and parties sit during hearings and trial; the table nearest the jury box is
usually the plaintiff’s.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF: The last section of a complaint, in which the plaintiff tells the Court
what the plaintiff wants from the lawsuit, such as money damages, an injunction, or other relief.
PRETRIAL CONFERENCE: A hearing shortly before trial where the judge discusses the
requirements for conducting trial and resolves any final issues that have arisen before trial.
PRETRIAL DISCLOSURES: The disclosures required by Rule 26(a) (3) of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure of certain information about evidence that you may present at trial (except for
evidence that will be used solely for impeachment).