Bankruptcy petition - A formal request for the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws. (There is an official form for bankruptcy petitions.)⏎
Caseload - The number of cases handled by a judge or a court.⏎
Bail - The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditions designed to assure that person's appearance in court when required. Also can refer to the amount of bond money posted as a financial condition of pretrial release.⏎
Chapter 13 - The chapter of the Bankruptcy Code providing for the adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income, often referred to as a "wage-earner" plan. Chapter 13 allows a debtor to keep property and use his or her disposable income to pay debts over time, usually three to five years.⏎
Bench trial - A trial without a jury, in which the judge serves as the fact-finder.⏎