The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution concerns term limits of presidents and vice presidents of the United States, as well as those of members of Congress. Specifically, the 20th Amendment moved the beginning of the terms of the president and vice president from March 4 to January 20. It also moved the beginning of the terms of members of […]
Read moreThe 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution deals with the concepts of voting and paying taxes. Simply put: a person’s right to vote cannot be denied him simply because he owes poll taxes, or taxes of any other kind. A poll tax is a type of tax that used to be required before people could vote, until it was abolished […]
Read moreThe legal term constructive eviction refers to a landlord’s action – or failure to take action – that makes the premises uninhabitable, or which robs the tenant of the use and enjoyment of the premises. This occurs without taking steps to legally evict a tenant, rather simply making staying so miserable that the tenant just leaves. Constructive eviction is not […]
Read moreA true bill is a written decision, handed down by a grand jury, that the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to believe that the accused person likely committed the crime, and should be indicted. The words “true bill” are endorsed on the bill of indictment, which is then signed by the grand jury foreperson, indicating that there is […]
Read moreVehicular manslaughter is also known as vehicular homicide. Both terms refer to a crime involving the death of a person other than the driver, as the result of either the negligent or intentionally malicious operation of a vehicle. Vehicular manslaughter is more often used to describe cases of criminal negligence, whereas vehicular homicide can be used more generally to mean […]
Read moreA trier of fact is someone who determines what the facts are during a trial. For example, a trier of fact examines the evidence that is presented, and then determines whether an event that is said to have occurred actually did occur. Certain facts are determined to be the “facts of the case” as agreed by the parties to the […]
Read moreThe legal term transferred intent is often summed up with the phrase “the intent follows the bullet.” What this means is that, if someone intends to shoot Person A, he will be held liable when the bullet that leaves his gun also injures Person B in the process. The offender’s intent is effectively “transferred” between the two victims. However, intent […]
Read moreA vexatious litigant is a person who files multiple lawsuits, without legitimate grounds, with the intention of harassing or quieting another person. A vexatious litigant may file lawsuits that are frivolous, burdensome, and/or unwarranted, and the filing of such lawsuits is considered an abuse of the legal system. Vexatious litigants may suffer sanctions as a result of their malicious behavior. […]
Read moreThe term resisting arrest refers to the act of physically struggling against, or attempting to elude a police officer, in order to escape being restrained. According to the law, a person cannot use physical force to resist being lawfully arrested by a police officer. The act of resisting arrest is a crime that may be charged above and beyond any […]
Read moreA third party beneficiary is a person who benefits from a contract that is made between two other people. For example, a third party beneficiary is not a party to the contract himself but receives a benefit once the contract is satisfied. In certain situations, a third party beneficiary is afforded the legal rights necessary to enforce the contract and […]
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