GLOSSARY
JANUARY 2002 GLOSSARY
As defined under rule 3.125 (a), Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, a written order
issued by a law enforcement officer in lieu of physical arrest requiring a person accused
of violating the law to appear in a designated court or governmental office at a specified
date and time.
Nunc Pro Tunc
As defined by Black’s Law Dictionary, “ Now for then. A phrase applied to acts allowed
to be done after the time when they should be done, with a retroactive effect, i.e., with
the same effect as if regularly done. Nunc pro tunc entry is an entry made now of
something actually previously done to have the effect of the former date;...”
Offender Based Transaction System (OBTS)
Automated criminal system designed to electronically transmit disposition information to
be included in the computerized criminal history (CCH) file which is housed at the
Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Order of Discharge
Estate: When the personal representative of an estate has completed administration
except for distribution, he/she shall file a final accounting and a petition for discharge.
After the order of discharge is signed, the personal representative may distribute the
estate. Used to close an estate for SRS reporting purposes.
Guardianship: When the court is satisfied that the guardian has faithfully discharged
his/her duties and the interests of the ward are protected and the guardian has rendered a
complete and accurate final accounting and has delivered the assets of the ward to the
person entitled to them, the court shall enter an order of discharge. For SRS reporting
purposes, a guardianship case should be disposed upon the appointment of the
guardian, not on the order of discharge.
Petition
In a civil or probate case, a written document filed in the court, initiating the case and
requesting a decision in a matter described therein.
In an appellate case, a written document for filing a request to appeal or an original
jurisdiction case.