Plain-English definitions.

Administrative license suspension

A license suspension imposed by the state DMV separate from any criminal court action.

Bad faith

When an insurance company unreasonably refuses to settle, investigate, or pay a valid claim.

Beyond a reasonable doubt

The high standard of proof required to convict someone of a crime.

Bodily injury vs property damage

Two separate auto-insurance claim tracks: one for injuries, one for vehicle damage.

Case costs

Out-of-pocket expenses required to investigate and litigate a case, separate from the attorney's fee.

Comparative fault

A doctrine that reduces a plaintiff's damages by their own share of fault for the injury.

Contingency fee

An attorney fee paid only if the client recovers, calculated as a percentage of the recovery.

Court Supervision

An Illinois sentencing option similar to Missouri's SIS. Successful completion avoids a formal conviction.

Damages (economic vs non-economic)

Financial losses vs intangible losses like pain. The two pieces of every settlement value.

Demand letter

A formal letter from the injured party's attorney to the at-fault insurer requesting a specific settlement amount.

Deposition

Sworn pretrial testimony given outside of court, recorded by a court reporter, used as evidence later.

Discovery

The pretrial process where parties exchange information, documents, and testimony.

Diversion program

A prosecutor-administered alternative to traditional prosecution. Successful completion dismisses the case.

DWI vs DUI

Missouri calls it DWI (driving while intoxicated). Illinois calls it DUI (driving under the influence).

Expungement

A court order that removes or seals a criminal record.

Hardship license

A restricted driving privilege available after a DWI license suspension, for essential purposes.

Implied consent

The legal rule that operating a vehicle on public roads implies consent to chemical testing for intoxication.

Independent medical examination (IME)

A medical exam by a doctor chosen and paid for by the defense, used to challenge a plaintiff's injuries.

Interrogatories

Written questions in a lawsuit that the other party must answer in writing under oath.

Lien

A third party's right to be paid out of your settlement before you receive the net recovery.

Maximum medical improvement (MMI)

The point at which a doctor concludes a patient's condition is unlikely to improve further with additional treatment.

Med-pay coverage

Medical payments coverage on your auto policy that pays bills regardless of who was at fault.

Mediation

A settlement conference with a neutral facilitator. Most pre-trial cases pass through it.

Miranda rights

The warnings police must give before custodial interrogation about your right to remain silent and to counsel.

Misdemeanor vs felony

The fundamental classification of criminal charges. Misdemeanors up to 1 year, felonies more.

Motion to suppress

A pretrial motion asking the court to exclude evidence that was obtained illegally.

Permanent disability

A workers' compensation rating reflecting permanent loss of function from a work injury.

Plea bargain

A negotiated resolution where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a specific concession.

Policy limits

The maximum dollar amount an insurance policy will pay on a single claim.

Pre-existing condition

A medical condition you had before the accident, and the carrier's most common defense.

Preliminary hearing

An early-stage felony hearing where the state must show probable cause to continue.

Preponderance of the evidence

The 'more likely than not' standard of proof used in civil cases.

Probable cause

The standard required for police to make an arrest or for a court to issue a warrant.

Punitive damages

Damages designed to punish particularly bad conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.

Release

A signed document that gives up the right to bring a claim in exchange for a settlement payment.

SES (Suspended Execution of Sentence)

Missouri option where a sentence is imposed but its execution is paused. The conviction stays on the record.

SIS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence)

A Missouri sentencing option where guilt is found but no conviction is entered on the record.

Soft tissue injury

Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons that don't show on standard X-rays.

Statute of limitations

The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Miss it and the case is barred forever.

Subrogation

An insurer's right to be reimbursed from a settlement for money it already paid out.

Tolling

A pause in the running of a statute of limitations.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage

Coverage that pays the gap when the at-fault driver's policy isn't enough.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage

Coverage on your own auto policy that pays when an at-fault driver has no insurance.

Wrongful death

A civil claim brought by surviving family when a person dies because of someone else's negligence or wrongful act.