Amicus curiae (friend of the court): An interested person or group that is notdirectly involved with a case but submits materials supporting one side.

Corpus delicti (body of the crime): Physical evidence.

Habeas corpus (you should have the body): Usually, a petition filed by a prisoner on the grounds that he or she is being held illegally.

Lex loci (law of the place): Local law.

Lex talionis (the law of retaliation): Fancy way of saying "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

Nolo contendere (I choose not to contend): Admitting neither innocence nor guilt but agreeing to be punished as if you are guilty.

Volenti non fit injuria (there should be no injury to a willing person): If you put yourself in a dangerous situation (skydive off the Sears Tower, say), you cannot sue for injuries incurred in the process.