Also known as: acts of petition · petition
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
A summary proceeding used in the English High Court of Admiralty. Litigants submit brief statements supported by affidavit.
A summary proceeding used in the English High Court of Admiralty. Litigants submit brief statements supported by affidavit.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A formal request submitted to a court or government body for redress of grievances or other relief. The request initiates a proceeding and must satisfy statutory or constitutional requirements for content and verification.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A formal request submitted to a court or government body for redress of grievances or other relief. The request initiates a proceeding and must satisfy statutory or constitutional requirements for content and verification.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
Antonio Alvarado organized a petition drive against federal water-usage restrictions affecting his farm. He filed the petition in district court asserting due process and commerce clause violations. The court accepted the filing as the initial step to seek redress from the agency action.
Alexis Archer and her husband each submitted sworn statements in their dissolution petition declaring the marriage irretrievably broken. The court held a hearing and made the required finding based on those statements. The petition satisfied the statutory threshold for proceeding with the divorce.
Amber Alonzo filed a petition in family court seeking alimony after her spouse stopped providing support. She alleged need and his ability to pay. The court evaluated the circumstances and ordered payments under the pending separation action.
Adam Anderson filed a petition in his home state tribunal to establish child support against the other parent living in another state. The initiating tribunal forwarded the petition to the responding tribunal with jurisdiction over the respondent. The proceeding moved forward under the uniform act.
Anita Ali submitted a verified petition for dissolution that alleged the marriage was irretrievably broken. The petition included the required details about the parties and the marriage. The court accepted the filing and set the matter for further proceedings.
Andre Antoine filed a petition to adopt a child in the county where he resided. The petition complied with state residency requirements for adoption proceedings. The court acquired jurisdiction and scheduled the matter for hearing.
The verified petition must allege that the marriage is irretrievably broken and set forth the age, occupation, and residence of each party along with the date and place of the marriage. These allegations trigger the court's obligation to make findings after hearing.
Supporting sources
The First Amendment expressly protects the right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. This right operates alongside freedoms of speech, press, and assembly.
Supporting sources
A spouse not receiving support may petition the court for alimony and child support in connection with a legal separation or pending divorce action. Some states permit such petitions at any time without requesting other relief.
Supporting sources
…402 U. S. 941 (1971). III It might have been preferable if the defendant, pursuant to our Rule 20, had presented to us a petition for certiorari before judgment in the Court of Appeals with respect to the granting of the plaintiffs' prayer for declaratory relief. Our decisions in Mitchell v. Donovan , 398 U. S. 427…