What does petitioned mean in court?
Asked by: Sylvan Rutherford | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (25 votes)
A formal application in writing made to a court or other official body requesting judicial action of some character.
What does petitioning the court mean?
In legal terminology, a petition is made to the court by a petitioner against a respondent, while a complaint is filed by a plaintiff against a defendant. A petition asks the court to provide a court order, while a complaint seeks damages or to force the defendant to start or stop doing something.
What does it mean to have someone petitioned?
petitioned; petitioning pə-ˈti-sh(ə-)niŋ ; petitions. 1. transitive : to make a request to (someone) especially : to make a formal written request to (an authority)
What is the purpose of a petition?
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer called supplication. In the colloquial sense, a petition is a document addressed to an official and signed by numerous individuals.
What does petitioner mean on court documents?
The petitioner is the party who presents a petition to the court. On appeal, the petitioner is usually the party who lost in the lower court. This can be either the plaintiff or defendant from the court below, as either of the parties can present the case to a higher court for further proceedings. See also respondent .
What Is a Petition?
What is the difference between a petitioner and a defendant?
Parties include plaintiff (person filing suit), defendant (person sued or charged with a crime), petitioner (files a petition asking for a court ruling), respondent (usually in opposition to a petition or an appeal), cross-complainant (a defendant who sues someone else in the same lawsuit), or cross-defendant (a person ...
What happens if the petitioner does not show up to the divorce court?
If neither party shows up for divorce court, the consequences could be penalties, additional difficulties, and wasted time. This means that failing to attend your court date is simply not worth the hassle. For instance, you may face penalties from a contempt of court charge, which could also carry jail time and fines.
What does "petition granted" mean in court?
A: That means the Judge orally said it was approved. The Court order needs to be submitted and signed still. Usually whoever filed the petition will then file the order to be signed by the Judge. In almost all instances the written order is important so needs to get done. Good luck.
What power does a petition have?
Petition protects our right to ask the government to fix something we see as not working or to change a policy or practice we don't like, without fear of reprisal or punishment. We can petition federal, state and local governments and the judiciary – essentially any part of government at any level.
Why would someone start a petition?
Petitions can help advance a cause by: Raising awareness and signaling public opinion to decision-makers, influencing their decisions; Showing the media that there is a story worth covering; Helping organizations gain supporters and identify people who may want to get more involved on an issue; and.
What does it mean if you petition someone?
DEFINITION: A petition is a written request to the court for some type of legal action — grant a divorce, for example. The person who asks for legal action is called the petitioner and remains the petitioner throughout the case. Types of Family Court Petitions: Divorce. Divorce involving relocating (moving) children.
What happens in a petition?
Create or sign a petition that asks for a change to the law or to government policy. After 10,000 signatures, petitions get a response from the government. After 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in Parliament.
How long does it take to petition the court?
The court files its written opinion within 90 days of oral argument. The decision becomes final 30 days after filing. Up to 15 days after filing, the parties may petition for rehearing; the court may also, on its own motion, grant a rehearing or modify its decision up to an additional 60 days.
What happens during petition?
The original writing in a case is called the "petition." The petition must be complete and include certain information required by law. After the petition is filed either petitioner or respondent may file motions to request action by the court about a variety of matters.
What is a petition vs motion in court?
Are motions and petitions the same thing? No, motions and petitions are not the same. A petition initiates legal action or proceedings, while a motion is a request made within an ongoing case to prompt a specific court action or decision.
What is a petition in court?
A formal application in writing made to a court or other official body requesting judicial action of some character.
What are the disadvantages of petitions?
- Because petitions are easy to set up, the site can attract frivolous causes, or jokes framed in the ostensible form of a petition.
- Online petitions may be abused if signers use pseudonyms instead of real names, thus undermining its legitimacy.
What is the difference between a plaintiff and a petitioner?
Is there any difference between Plaintiff and Petitioner and Defendant and Respondent? No, not really. Normally you will hear Petitioner and Respondent used more in juvenile court and custody cases, but the terms are essentially interchangeable.
What is the difference between a court order and a petition?
A petition is simply a request by one party but, an Order is what a court renders when it is granted. Without an Order one way or the other, all that exists is a request.
What does no petition mean in court?
No petition means that there was not a petition filed perhaps.
What happens if a spouse refuses to be served divorce papers?
What is a Default Divorce in California? If due diligence fails and the spouse successfully avoids the attempts to serve the papers, the process moves into a default divorce process.
How to divorce someone you haven't seen in years?
What if I can't serve the papers because I can't find my spouse? If you cannot find your spouse, you can request permission from the court to publish a notice of the divorce in the newspaper or post a notice in the courthouse. This is called a Motion to Serve by Publication or Posting.
Can a judge force a divorce?
Often a taxing and emotional process, filing for fault-based divorce is a method that can be used if one party does not consent to the divorce. In a fault-based divorce, the filing party must present a case to a judge proving that their spouse committed an act that is grounds for divorce under the statute.