Federal Court Procedures & Filings Glossary (A–Z) | Spanish-English
The Federal Architecture
Federal Court Procedures & Filings
A Professional Gift to the Interpreting Community from Samuel Arcelay
The federal court system operates under a distinct set of rules that sets it apart from state courts. Federal system is governed rigidly by three primary rulebooks: FRCP (Civil), FRCrP (Criminal), and FRE (Evidence). Mastering this terminology ensures the interpreter understands the complex lifecycle of federal litigation.
A
Administrative RecordExpediente administrativo
Definition: File of documents and agency decisions reviewed on appeal.
Notes: Required under APA.
Notes: Required under APA.
AffidavitDeclaración jurada
Definition: A sworn written statement made under oath.
Notes: Used in motions, warrants, civil filings.
Notes: Used in motions, warrants, civil filings.
Amended ComplaintDemanda enmendada
Definition: Revised complaint replacing or correcting the original.
Notes: Governed by Rule 15.
Notes: Governed by Rule 15.
Amicus Curiae BriefEscrito de amicus curiae / amigo del tribunal
Definition: Filing by a non-party offering expertise relevant to the court’s decision.
Answer (Civil Answer)Contestación a la demanda
Definition: Defendant’s formal written response to a complaint.
Appellate BriefEscrito de apelación
Definition: Formal written argument submitted to appellate court explaining legal errors.
Arraignment (Federal)Lectura de cargos (federal)
Definition: Hearing where defendant is formally advised of charges and enters a plea.
B
Bail Reform Act HearingAudiencia bajo la Ley de Reforma de Fianzas
Definition: Hearing on detention or release conditions.
Notes: Focus on danger/flight risk.
Notes: Focus on danger/flight risk.
Bench TrialJuicio ante el juez / juicio sin jurado
Definition: Trial decided by a judge without a jury.
Bill of CostsEstado de costas
Definition: Itemized list of litigation costs requested after judgment.
Brief (Legal Brief)Escrito legal
Definition: Written document presenting legal arguments.
Burden of PersuasionCarga de persuasión
Definition: Level of proof required to convince the trier of fact.
Burden of ProductionCarga de producción
Definition: Duty to present initial evidence to keep an issue in the case.
C
Case CaptionTítulo del caso
Definition: Formal heading with parties and court found on every filing.
Case Management Conference (CMC)Conferencia de gestión del caso
Definition: Hearing to set schedule and discovery plan.
Certificate of ServiceCertificado de notificación
Definition: Proof that a document was served on all parties.
Clerk’s Entry of DefaultAnotación de incumplimiento
Definition: Clerk notes defendant’s failure to respond.
Notes: Precedes default judgment.
Notes: Precedes default judgment.
Complaint (Federal Civil)Demanda civil federal
Definition: Initial filing initiating a lawsuit under Rule 8.
Consolidation of CasesConsolidación de casos
Definition: Merging related cases for judicial efficiency.
ContinuancePrórroga
Definition: Request to postpone a hearing or trial.
Cross-AppealApelación cruzada
Definition: An appeal by the appellee against the same judgment.
Cross-MotionContramoción
Definition: Motion filed in direct response to another motion.
D
Declaratory Judgment ActionAcción de juicio declaratorio
Definition: Legal request for court declaration of rights without damages.
Default JudgmentSentencia en rebeldía
Definition: Judgment entered for non-response to a complaint.
Detention Order (Federal)Orden de detención preventiva
Definition: Order holding a criminal defendant pretrial based on risk.
Discovery MotionMoción de descubrimiento
Definition: Request to compel or limit the exchange of evidence.
Discovery PlanPlan de descubrimiento
Definition: Outline of discovery schedule required under Rule 26(f).
Dismissal With PrejudiceDesestimación con perjuicio
Definition: Final dismissal barring the plaintiff from refiling the claim.
Dismissal Without PrejudiceDesestimación sin perjuicio
Definition: Dismissal allowing the plaintiff to refile the lawsuit.
Docket NumberNúmero de expediente
Definition: Unique identification number assigned to each case.
E
E-FilingPresentación electrónica
Definition: Mandatory filing of documents through the CM/ECF system.
Emergency MotionMoción de emergencia
Definition: Urgent request requiring immediate judicial action.
En Banc ReviewRevisión en pleno
Definition: Rare appeal heard by all judges of an appellate circuit.
Evidentiary HearingAudiencia de pruebas
Definition: Hearing where witness testimony and exhibits are presented.
Ex Parte FilingPresentación ex parte
Definition: Filing submitted to the judge without notice to the other side.
Exhaustion of RemediesAgotamiento de recursos
Definition: Requirement to complete administrative steps before suing.
Exhibit List FilingLista de pruebas
Definition: Pretrial document identifying all exhibits to be used.
Extension of Time MotionMoción de extensión de tiempo
Definition: Request for more time to meet a court deadline.
F
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP)Reglas Federales de Procedimiento Civil
Definition: Rules governing the conduct of all civil suits in U.S. district courts.
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (FRCrP)Reglas Federales de Procedimiento Penal
Definition: Rules governing criminal proceedings in federal courts.
Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE)Reglas Federales de Evidencia
Definition: Rules determining the admissibility of proof in trials.
Filing FeeCuota de presentación
Definition: Required fee paid to the clerk to initiate or file in a case.
Final JudgmentSentencia final
Definition: Final resolution of the case that triggers appeal deadlines.
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of LawDeterminaciones de hecho y conclusiones de derecho
Definition: Written explanation of judge's findings in bench trials.
Frivolous AppealApelación frívola
Definition: An appeal lacking any legal basis or merit.
G
Gag OrderOrden de silencio
Definition: Judicial order restricting discussion of the case to protect trial integrity.
General OrderOrden general
Definition: District-wide procedural rule issued by the chief judge.
Good Cause ShowingDemostración de causa justificada
Definition: Legitimate factual basis required for court requests.
Grand Jury SubpoenaCitatorio del gran jurado
Definition: Compulsory order to testify or produce records for investigation.
H
Habeas Corpus PetitionPetición de hábeas corpus
Definition: Constitutional challenge to the legality of a person's detention.
Hearing MemorandumMemorando de audiencia
Definition: Written summary of issues provided to the judge before a hearing.
Honoring a SubpoenaCumplimiento de un citatorio
Definition: Responding to a subpoena as required by law.
House Arrest OrderOrden de arresto domiciliario
Definition: Order requiring a person to stay at their residence.
I
In Camera ReviewRevisión en privado
Definition: Private judicial review of documents in chambers.
In Forma Pauperis (IFP)En forma pauperis
Definition: Status allowing indigent litigants to proceed without paying fees.
IndictmentAcusación formal
Definition: Formal charging document issued by a grand jury.
InformationAcusación por información
Definition: Prosecutor-filed charging document often used in plea deals.
InjunctionOrden judicial
Definition: Order compelling or stopping specific behavior.
Interlocutory AppealApelación interlocutoria
Definition: Appeal of a non-final court order.
J
Joint Status ReportInforme de estado conjunto
Definition: Document filed by all parties updating the court on progress.
Judgment as a Matter of Law (JMOL)Sentencia como cuestión de derecho
Definition: Trial ruling that no reasonable jury could differ (Rule 50).
Judgment of AcquittalSentencia absolutoria
Definition: Formal "not-guilty" finding ending a prosecution.
Judicial NoticeReconocimiento judicial
Definition: Court acceptance of indisputable or verifiable facts.
K
Key Witness DesignationDesignación de testigo clave
Definition: Pretrial identification of essential witnesses.
Knowledge Requirement (Mens Rea)Requisito de conocimiento
Definition: Level of intent required (knowing, willful).
L
Letter BriefEscrito en formato de carta
Definition: Short, informal brief used for minor procedural disputes.
Limited RemandReenvío limitado
Definition: Appellate court returns a case for a specific narrow issue.
Litigation HoldNotificación de preservación
Definition: Directive to preserve all evidence related to a suit.
Local RulesReglas locales
Definition: Procedures unique to a specific federal district.
M
Mandamus PetitionPetición de mandamus
Definition: Request to a higher court to compel an official to act.
Motion for ReconsiderationMoción de reconsideración
Definition: Request that a judge revisit a previous ruling.
Motion for Summary JudgmentMoción de juicio sumario
Definition: Request for judgment without trial when facts are undisputed.
Motion in LimineMoción in limine
Definition: Request to exclude prejudicial evidence before trial starts.
Motion to CompelMoción para obligar
Definition: Application for court order to force discovery compliance.
Motion to DismissMoción de desestimación
Definition: Request to terminate a case for legal defects (Rule 12).
N
Notice of AppearanceAviso de comparecencia
Definition: Official filing by an attorney entering the case.
Notice of FilingAviso de presentación
Definition: Procedural notice that a document has been submitted.
Notice of HearingAviso de audiencia
Definition: Official notification of time and place for a hearing.
Notice of RemovalAviso de traslado
Definition: Filing used to move a case from state to federal court.
O
ObjectionObjeción
Definition: Challenge to the admissibility of evidence or a procedure.
Official Court Transcript RequestSolicitud de transcripción oficial
Definition: Request for a certified verbatim record of proceedings.
Opening a Federal CaseApertura de caso federal
Definition: Initial filing of a complaint and payment of fees.
Opposition BriefEscrito de oposición
Definition: Filing submitted to argue against a pending motion.
Order to Show Cause (OSC)Orden para demostrar causa
Definition: Court demand for justification to avoid sanctions.
P
PACER Access RequestSolicitud de acceso a PACER
Definition: Registration for the federal electronic court records system.
Petition for Rehearing / En BancPetición de reconsideración
Definition: Formal request for a case to be re-reviewed.
Presentence Investigation Report (PSR)Informe previo a la sentencia
Definition: Comprehensive report provided to judge before sentencing.
Pretrial Conference OrderOrden de conferencia previa al juicio
Definition: Formal roadmap controlling the upcoming trial.
Pro Hac Vice ApplicationSolicitud pro hac vice
Definition: Request for an out-of-state attorney to appear in a district.
Protective OrderOrden de protección
Definition: Order limiting the disclosure of sensitive discovery info.
Q
Qualified Immunity Defense FilingPresentación de inmunidad calificada
Definition: Legal filing asserting official immunity from suit.
Question of Law vs. Fact MotionMoción sobre cuestión de derecho o de hecho
Definition: Motion seeking to define the nature of a specific dispute.
R
Record on AppealExpediente en apelación
Definition: All documents and transcripts sent to higher court for review.
Reply BriefEscrito de réplica
Definition: Filing submitted by the movant in response to an opposition.
Rule 26(f) ReportInforme de la Regla 26(f)
Definition: Joint discovery plan required early in civil cases.
Rule 29 MotionMoción de la Regla 29
Definition: Criminal motion for judgment of acquittal.
S
Scheduling OrderOrden de programación
Definition: Judge’s order setting all litigation deadlines and dates.
Sealed Filing / Motion to SealPresentación sellada
Definition: Document filed confidentially and not public.
Show-Cause HearingAudiencia para mostrar causa
Definition: Hearing where a party must justify avoiding sanctions.
Stipulation and Proposed OrderEstipulación y orden propuesta
Definition: Agreement between parties submitted for judge's signature.
Supplemental BriefEscrito suplementario
Definition: Additional brief addressing new facts or law.
Sur-ReplyRéplica suplementaria
Definition: Extra filing responding to a reply brief.
T
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)Orden de restricción temporal
Definition: Immediate, short-term emergency court order.
Transcript Correction RequestSolicitud de corrección de transcripción
Definition: Formal request to fix errors in the official record.
Transfer of VenueTraslado de competencia
Definition: Request to move a case to a different district court.
U
U.S. Marshal Service ReturnConstancia de notificación del Servicio de Alguaciles
Definition: Verification that service was completed by federal marshals.
Under Seal SubmissionPresentación bajo sello
Definition: Confidential submission requiring a judicial sealing order.
Unopposed MotionMoción sin oposición
Definition: Motion where the other side does not object.
V
Verified ComplaintDemanda verificada
Definition: Complaint containing a sworn oath as to its truth.
Voluntary Dismissal (Rule 41)Desestimación voluntaria
Definition: Plaintiff's decision to end the case before trial.
W
Waiver of ServiceRenuncia de notificación formal
Definition: Defendant agrees to accept suit without formal marshal service.
Warrant Return FilingPresentación de devolución de orden
Definition: Report notifying the court of a warrant's execution.
Witness List FilingLista de testigos
Definition: Pretrial identification of all witnesses to be called.
X
“X” Filings (Cross-Reference)Archivos de referencia cruzada
Definition: Docket entries linking related filings in complex cases.
Y
Yielding JurisdictionCeder jurisdicción
Definition: When a federal court defers or transfers authority.
Z
Zero-Month Sentencing RecommendationRecomendación de sentencia de cero meses
Definition: PSR recommendation for non-prison punishment.