Bail Bondsman
1) previous decisions by courts of appeal which provide legal guidance to a court on questions in a current lawsuit, which are called “precedents.” legal briefs (written arguments) are often called “points and authorities.” thus, a lawyer “cites” the previously decided cases as “authorities” for his/her legal positions. 2) a common term for law enforcement, as in “i’m going to call the authorities” (i.e. police).