The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The term “asset forfeiture” refers to the property the state confiscates from a defendant after a criminal or civil conviction. For example, asset forfeiture occurs when the state confiscates an expensive car from a drug dealer. The state then puts these items up for auction and uses the proceeds to both repay the victims of the crime and to fund […]
Read moreThe meaning of “Zero Tolerance law” is that people will suffer automatic punishments by law as a result of engaging in a particular kind of behavior. For example, Zero Tolerance law in the U.S. refers to driving while under the influence of alcohol and while underage. In other words, Zero Tolerance laws make it illegal for any driver under the […]
Read moreThe 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution addresses the subject of presidential succession. It establishes procedures for filling presidential and vice-presidential vacancies in the event of disability, death, resignation, or removal. The states ratified the amendment on February 10, 1967. To explore this concept, consider the following 25th Amendment definition. Definition of 25th Amendment Noun An amendment to the U.S. […]
Read moreThe meaning of flagrante delicto lies in its Latin origin, which, in the law, refers to catching someone in the act of committing a crime. In flagrante delicto and in flagrante are additional ways of describing such a situation. For example, flagrante delicto exists when a convenience store clerk comes back from the bathroom to find a robber stealing money […]
Read moreThe term mea culpa is a Latin phrase that translates to mean “through my fault.” In other words, the mea culpa meaning is an individual’s acknowledgment that he did something wrong. An example of mea culpa in the legal world is a person’s confession to having committed a crime. To explore this concept, consider the following mea culpa definition. Definition […]
Read moreThe supermajority meaning is the requirement for a particular measure or legislation to receive significantly more than half of the votes in order for the measure to pass. For example, a supermajority can refer to a three-fifths or two-thirds vote. What this means is that, if two-thirds or three-fifths of the votes cast are in support of a measure to […]
Read moreZone of privacy refers to the areas or situations in which an individual has an expectation of privacy. This concept also provides an individual with some level of control over personal information. Zone of privacy examples include an individual’s right to feel secure in their person, home, or papers. To explore this concept, consider the following zone of privacy definition. Definition of Zone of Privacy Noun An area or […]
Read moreThe term “profiteering” refers to the act of making a large or unfair profit by sketchy means. An example of profiteering is pay-day loans, which typically come with exorbitant interest rates that make them difficult to pay back. The company offering the loan then makes an unfair profit because of their inflated interest rates. To explore this concept, consider the […]
Read moreThe term “standard of care” refers to the reasonable degree of care a person should provide to another person, typically in a professional or medical setting. For example, standard of care in the case of a cancer patient could include a recommendation of chemotherapy or surgery. If the doctor does not treat the patient to the best of his ability, […]
Read moreThe term “guilt by association” refers to the idea that an individual is guilty of a crime simply because of his association with the person who actually committed it. The guilt by association meaning exists, not because of proof, but more because of an individual’s assumption. An example of guilt by association is the assumption that everyone in a group […]
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