Misdemeanor - An offense punishable by one year of imprisonment or less. See also felony.⏎
Fresh start - The characterization of a debtor's status after bankruptcy, i.e., free of most debts. (Giving debtors a fresh start is one purpose of the Bankruptcy Code.)⏎
Federal public defender - An attorney employed by the federal courts on a full-time basis to provide legal defense to defendants who are unable to afford counsel. The judiciary administers the federal defender program pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act.⏎
Felony - A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.⏎
In forma pauperis - "In the manner of a pauper." Permission given by the court to a person to file a case without payment of the required court fees because the person cannot pay them.⏎