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appearance definition - legal

n

  1. The coming into a court to participate in a court proceeding by a party who has been validly served process or by a party who is voluntarily submitting itself to the courtÂ’s jurisdiction.
  2. The coming into a court to participate in a court proceeding by a witness or an interested person or by a lawyer acting on behalf of a party or interested person.
compulsory appearance
An appearance by one who is required to do so because he has been validly served with process.
entry of appearance
The formal act of an attorney notifying a court of his representation of a party to the proceedings, either by written document, or orally in open court.
general appearance
An appearance wherein a party consents to the courtÂ’s jurisdiction and waives the ability to later contest the courtÂ’s authority to reach a binding decision against her in the case.
initial appearance
A criminal defendantÂ’s first appearance in court. Usually, this is when the charges are read to the defendant or the defendant is given a copy of the charges, the defendant is advised of his rights and enters a plea, and the amount of bail (if bail is not denied) is determined. See also arraignment and presentment.
special appearance
An appearance made for the sole reason of contesting the courtÂ’s jurisdiction over the defendant.
voluntary appearance
An appearance by one who has not yet been served with process in the case.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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