Sua sponte - Latin, meaning "of its own will." Often refers to a court taking an action in a case without being asked to do so by either side.⏎
Uphold - The appellate court agrees with the lower court decision and allows it to stand. See affirmed.⏎
Statute of limitations - The time within which a lawsuit must be filed or a criminal prosecution begun. The deadline can vary, depending on the type of civil case or the crime charged.⏎
Sequester - To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.⏎