Law new is a weekly newsletter that covers the latest legal developments in New York State and around the country. It’s written by the staff of the Legal Aid Society of New York City.
docket number: A six-digit number that identifies a court case, usually in Civil and Criminal Court. The first two numbers show the year of the case; the next three characters* indicate the county; and the last six digits identify the specific case. The letters N, K, Q, X, and R mean that the case was filed in Manhattan; Brooklyn; Queens; or the Bronx respectively.
statute: A law passed by a legislature (the legislative branch of government).
rule of law: The idea that people and institutions are bound by the rules, principles, and descriptions of power (“laws”), and rights that a nation or state has established through its constitution, laws, and other legal decisions.
court stamp: A raised seal, stamp or printed seal used to signify official approval of a court paper or order. You can read the seal in photocopies of the paper.