- O -
Oath - A solemn pledge
made under a sense of responsibility in attestation of the truth
of a statement or in verification of a statement made.
Objection - The process by
which one party takes exception to some statement or procedure. An
objection is either sustained (allowed) or overruled by the judge.
Occupational Safety and Health
Act (OSHA) - A federal law designed to develop and
occupational safety and health standards promote .
Occupational Safety and Health
Review Commission - The agency established by OSHA to
adjudicate enforcement actions under the Act.
Official reports - The
publication of cumulated court decisions of state or federal
courts in advance sheets and bound volumes as provided by
statutory authority.
On a person's own recognizance
- Release of a person from custody without the payment of any bail
or posting of bond, upon the promise to return to court.
Opening statement - The
initial statement made by attorneys for each side, outlining the
facts each intends to establish during the trial.
Opinion - A judge's
written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of
judges. A dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion
because of the reasoning and/or the principles of law on which the
decision is based. A concurring opinion agrees with the decision
of the court but offers further comment. (A per curiam opinion is
an unsigned opinion "of the court.")
Oral argument - Presentation
of a case before a court by spoken argument; usually with respect
to a presentation of a case to an appellate court where a time
limit might be set for oral argument.
Order - A mandate,
command, or direction authoritatively given. Direction of a court
or judge made in writing.
Ordinance - A rule
established by authority; may be a municipal statute of a city
council, regulating such matters as zoning, building, safety,
matters of municipality, etc.
Overrule - A judge's
decision not to allow an objection. Also, a decision by a higher
court finding that a lower court decision was in error.
