The Law Dictionary for Everyone
In the law, a conspiracy refers to an agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act, or to deprive another person of his legal rights. The agreement to act must be moved toward a conclusion, whether or not it is actually accomplished. Plans made by a certain combination of people for unlawful or secret purposes may also […]
Read moreWhile perhaps not as well known as adoption of a child, adult adoption remains a legitimate practice. An example of adult adoption might occur if a mother reunites with her adult, biological child, and wants to change the birth certificate to reflect herself as the mother. Another example of adult adoption might occur if an adult child seeks out his […]
Read moreCongress sets its own salary by voting for or against pay raises. The 27th Amendment concerns pay increases and decreases for the members of Congress. For example, the 27th Amendment specifies that any changes made to members of Congress’ pay must take effect at the beginning of the term after the pay raise is voted in. Similarly, if their salaries […]
Read moreThe legal term assumpsit comes from the Latin assumere, meaning “he undertook.” It refers to a promise made to induce someone to engage in some act, or to pay something to another person. Assumpsit may be made orally, or in writing. This is a common-law concept that has to do with whether or not a contract was made, and whether […]
Read moreThe 7th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right of every American citizen to a trial by a jury of his peers in a civil court case. The writers’ objective in drafting this amendment as an addition to the Bill of Rights was to ensure that the government would not eliminate the practice of trial by jury. The major […]
Read moreThe 3rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution concerns housing soldiers during wartime. For example, the 3rd Amendment forbids soldiers from temporarily taking up residence in citizens’ houses during peace time, unless they have consent from the homeowner to do so. While not normally enforced in modern times, the 3rd Amendment was particularly necessary during the American Revolutionary War. It is […]
Read moreThe best evidence rule is a rule of evidence that requires an original document, photograph, or other piece of evidence be introduced to the court to prove the contents of that same item. As an example of the best evidence rule’s purpose, consider a plaintiff arguing that a specific provision to a contract didn’t exist. The parties must produce the […]
Read moreWhen a third party intervenes, destroying the affection that binds two married people, he or she as caused alienation of affection. Historically, the individual harmed by this destruction of the relationship could seek damages through a civil lawsuit. In modern times, this is not common, though the issue may be brought up in divorce proceedings. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreThe 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution tackles the issues of equal protection under the law, and the rights of citizens. Unsurprisingly, the 14th Amendment was met with a great deal of contention at the time it was proposed. This was due to the fact that the states that were once part of the Confederacy were forced to ratify the […]
Read moreThe 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is perhaps most memorable for being directly tied to the women’s suffrage movement that took place in the U.S. at both the state and federal levels. For example, the 19th Amendment prohibited state and federal governments from denying citizens the right to vote because of their sex. This was necessary because, until as […]
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