The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Negligent homicide refers to the killing of another person through reckless or negligent behavior. It differs from other forms of homicide due to the implied lack of malice and intent. Common examples of negligent homicide involve motor vehicle accidents that result in fatalities. To explore this concept, consider the following negligent homicide definition. Definition or Negligent Homicide Noun The killing […]
Read moreThe term per curiam refers to a decision made by a court of numerous judges, but without a particular author’s name attached to the decision. For example, per curiam decisions are typically short and concern issues that the court does not consider to be controversial in nature. However, this is not always the case, as sometimes the judges do not […]
Read moreThe term “executive branch” refers to the branch of the U.S. government responsible for enforcing the country’s laws. For example, the executive branch consists of the President, the Vice President, and the President’s cabinet. If the President is unable to continue in his daily duties for whatever reason, such as mental incapacity, impeachment, or assassination, the Vice President is to […]
Read moreThe term “sovereign immunity” refers to a ruling body, such as the U.S. government, being immune from civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution. For example, sovereign immunity means that no one can sue the government without having the government’s consent. Sovereign immunity comes from British common law, which provided the idea that the King is immune from charges of wrongdoing. To […]
Read moreThe legal guardian meaning refers to someone with the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of another person. Typically, the courts appoint guardianship over a child or an incapacitated individual. Each state has its own statutes that outline the duties, powers, and responsibilities of a guardian. To explore this concept, consider the following legal guardian definition. Definition of Legal Guardian […]
Read moreThe term “drug trafficking” refers to the process by which individuals provide illegal drugs to the public. For example, drug trafficking meaning refers to all aspects of the illegal drug trade, from the growing or processing of illicit drugs, to their distribution and sale. Someone who cultivates heroin from opium plants, for instance, may be just as guilty of trafficking […]
Read moreThe term “public intoxication” refers to an individual acting in a harmful or obstructionist manner while in public as a result of consuming alcohol or drugs. For example, public intoxication occurs when an individual drinks too much while on a train, then harasses his fellow passengers who are taking the train home. His conduct is, at best, annoying, but because […]
Read moreThe term chain of custody refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence. It involves keeping a detailed log showing who collected, handled, transferred, or analyzed evidence during an investigation. The procedure for establishing chain of custody starts with the crime scene. To explore this concept, consider the following chain of custody definition. Definition of Chain […]
Read moreThe term “misprision” refers to the deliberate act of hiding the awareness of a crime. For example, misprision exists when someone has knowledge that a crime is about to occur, and yet does nothing to stop it. Another example of misprision is clerical misprision, which is typically less serious and occurs when the clerk of the court makes a mistake […]
Read moreThe term “constitutional convention,” also known as the “Philadelphia Convention,” refers to the gathering of a group of purpose for the purpose of either drafting a new constitution or editing an existing one. For example, a constitutional convention gathered in May and September of 1787 to discuss the creation of a constitution to cure the government’s weaknesses. As a result, […]
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