Which term describes a written legal argument presented to the court by a lawyer to summarize the facts and support a legal position?

• A. A document that requires a witness to appear
• B. A request for a court order to depose a witness
• C. A written legal argument presented to the court by a lawyer to summarize the facts and support a legal position
• D. A brand of antivirus software

Answer: (C)

A brief is a formal written legal argument presented to the court by a lawyer. It lays out the facts, identifies the issues, cites the governing law, and explains how the facts support a particular legal position. The goal is to persuade the judge by showing why the client should prevail, guided by clear reasoning and authoritative authorities. This document is distinct from items that compel action or relate to evidence gathering (like subpoenas) and from unrelated software products. In practice, a brief can be used at trial or on appeal, with the same purpose: to present a structured, persuasive argument to the court.