Legal Dictionary
Eviction
Definition: A court process a landlord may use to remove a tenant from a rental home after proper notice and a lawsuit.
How people say it: People often say “getting kicked out,” “unlawful detainer” (CA), or “forcible detainer” (TX).
Location note: In NYC, many residential cases go to Housing Court; elsewhere in New York they may go to other courts.
Related topics: eviction-housing
Summons
Definition: Official court paper that tells you a lawsuit was filed and you must respond by a deadline.
How people say it: “I got served” usually means someone delivered lawsuit papers to you.
Location note: Deadlines after service can be very short—missing them may lead to a default judgment.
Related topics: small-claims
Small claims court
Definition: A simplified court track for lower-dollar disputes, often designed so people can appear without a lawyer.
How people say it: Folks say “I’ll take you to small claims” meaning a low-dollar lawsuit.
Location note: Dollar limits differ by state and sometimes by city (for example NYC vs. upstate New York).
Related topics: small-claims
Traffic citation
Definition: A ticket alleging a driving or parking violation; options may include paying, contesting, or traffic school when eligible.
How people say it: “I got a ticket” / “a moving violation” vs. parking.
Location note: In NYC many tickets go to the TVB; other New York areas may use local courts.
Related topics: traffic-tickets
Child custody / parenting time
Definition: Court orders about decision-making and schedules for children after parents separate or in other family cases.
How people say it: Many courts now say “allocation of parental responsibilities” or “parenting plan” instead of only “custody.”
Location note: Illinois often uses “allocation of parental responsibilities”; Texas cases with kids may be labeled SAPCR.
Related topics: family-basics
Debt collector
Definition: A person or company that tries to collect a consumer debt; federal FDCPA rules often apply, plus state laws.
How people say it: “Collections keeps calling” / “they sold my debt.”
Location note: California’s Rosenthal Act adds state collection rules on top of federal law.
Related topics: consumer-debt
At-will employment
Definition: In many U.S. states, either side may end most private jobs at any time for a lawful reason—or no reason—unless a contract or law says otherwise.
How people say it: “They can fire me for any reason” is the street version—but discrimination and retaliation are still illegal.
Location note: Texas and Florida are often described as at-will states; California still has at-will defaults plus many extra worker protections.
Related topics: employment-basics
Legal aid
Definition: Organizations that provide free or low-cost civil legal help to people who meet income and case-type guidelines.
How people say it: “Call legal aid” / “the free lawyer clinic.”
Location note: Use ReadingDlaw’s Legal Aid map layer for sample clinic pins in CA, TX, NY, FL, and IL.
Related topics: getting-started