Superior Court >Civil Department >Glossary Of Common Terms Glossary of Common Terms Impeach/Impeachment To dispute or challenge the credibility or validity of a witness's testimony; one party's effort to undermine the credibility of testimony offered by another party. In Camera In chambers; in private. Inactive Calendar The calendar on which civil cases are placed by the Civil Court Administrator or a judge if no judgment has been obtained or motion to set and certificate of readiness filed within nine months of the filing of the complaint. Incapacitated Person A person impaired by mental illness, deficiency or disorder; physical illness or disability; chronic drug use or intoxication or other cause, except minority, to the extent the person lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his/her person. Incorrigible Child A child adjudicated as a child who refuses to obey the reasonable and proper orders or directions of a parent, guardian or custodian and who: is beyond that person's control; habitually is truant from school; is a runaway from the child's home or parent, guardian or custodian; habitually behaves in such a manner as to injure or endanger the morals or health of self or others; commits any act constituting an offense that can be committed only by a minor and is not designated as a delinquent act or fails to obey any lawful order of a court of competent jurisdiction given in a noncriminal action. Juveniles who commit offenses that would not be considered crimes if committed by adults are called status offenders (incorrigible youth). Independent Living Program A residential program with supervision of less than 24 hours a day. Indictment A written accusation by a grand jury that a certain person has committed a specified offense; triggers judicial proceedings. Informal Proceedings Proceedings conducted without notice to interested persons by an officer of the court acting as a registrar for the probate of a will or appointment of a personal representative. Information A written accusation by a public officer, not presented to a grand jury, that a certain person has committed a specified offense; triggers judicial proceedings. Initial Appearance A defendant's first court appearance, whereat the defendant is advised of his/her rights and the charges against him/her, a determination is made as to release status and counsel and a future court time is set in the appropriate court. Injunction A court order directing a person to take or refrain from taking a specified action. Intake Occurs when a youth is referred to juvenile probation with a delinquent or incorrigible charge. Interested Person An heir, devisee, child, spouse, creditor, beneficiary or other person with a property right in or claim against a trust estate or the estate of a decedent, ward or protected person. Also includes a person with priority for appointment as a personal representative and other fiduciaries representing interested persons. As it relates to particular persons, may vary from time to time and must be determined according to the particular purposes of, and matter involved in, any proceeding. Interlocutory Stay A provisional or temporary order made pending a final decision or outcome. The order is subject to change by the court, which often makes it not appealable until the entire matter has been disposed of by final judgment. Interpleader Action An action that allows a plaintiff to initiate a lawsuit in order to compel two or more other parties to litigate a dispute. An interpleader action originates when the plaintiff holds property on behalf of another but doesn't know to whom the property should be transfered. It is often used to resolve disputes arising under insurance contracts. Interrogatories Written questions asked one party to a suit by an opposing party, which must be answered in writing and under oath, and which may be used as evidence by the party demanding them, if relevant. Also can mean questions submitted to a jury. Intervener A person who intervenes as a third party in a legal proceeding. Intestate Having died and left no valid will. Issue As it relates to wills and trusts, a person's lineal descendants or offspring. This is distinguished from heirs. IV-D Cases (Four-D) Cases in which a party receives these services of the Department of Economic Security or has been automatically referred to DES to collect child support. return to top