- H -
Habeas corpus - The name
of a writ having for its object to bring a person before a court.
Harmless error - An error
committed during a trial that was corrected or was not serious
enough to affect the outcome of a trial and therefore was not
sufficiently harmful (prejudicial) to be reversed on appeal.
Headnote - A brief summary
of a legal rule or significant facts in a case, which along with
other headnotes, precedes the printed opinion in reports.
Hearing - A formal
proceeding (generally less formal than a trial) with definite
issues of law or of fact to be heard. Hearings are used
extensively by legislative and administrative agencies.
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.
Hostile witness - A
witness whose testimony is not favorable to the party who calls
him or her as a witness. A hostile witness may be asked leading
questions and may be cross-examined by the party who calls him or
her to the stand.
Hung jury - A jury whose
members cannot agree upon a verdict.
