The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The act of altering a document by adding, substituting, or subtracting some part of it is to “amend” the document. Documents that are commonly amended include legislative bills, pleadings, contracts, and the U.S. Constitution. When the change takes place, it may be referred to as an “amendment.” In order to amend laws, statutes, the Constitution, and other political or social […]
Read moreCriminal prosecutions in the United States are frequently settled without a jury trial through the process of plea bargaining. A plea bargain is an agreement between the prosecutor and defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to some of the charges, or a lesser charge, in exchange for a reduced sentence, or some other concession by the prosecution. […]
Read moreA criminal act that is less serious than a felony is considered to be a “misdemeanor.” While specific laws vary by jurisdiction, misdemeanors generally include such acts as disturbing the peace, petty theft, drunk driving with no injury to others, public drunkenness, simple assault and battery, and traffic violations. These are tried in the local municipal or justice courts, and […]
Read moreMutual assent is an agreement between two parties that intend to form a contract. Also known as a “meeting of the minds,” mutual assent signifies that the parties agree to the terms they are setting, as long as the necessary requirements are in place. Such a consensus is the first step in the contractual process. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreA term used in contract law, a “covenant not to compete” is an agreement in which an individual, usually an employee, agrees not to work for the other party’s competition in a specified geographical area for a specified length of time. Also referred to as a “non-compete clause,” or “non-compete agreement,” this type of legal agreement is commonly used in […]
Read moreA distributor is one who buys products from a supplier, warehouses them, then sells them to retailers or to end-use customers. A distributorship agreement is a contract made between an individual or entity (the “distributor”) and the supplier, setting out the terms under which the distributor may sell the products. Products are purchased from the supplier at a low cost, […]
Read moreThe Due Process Clause is included in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The clause prohibits the government from depriving a person of their right to liberty or property without due process. This clause has helped the federal and state governments adopt fairness standards to ensure people’s rights are not violated. When the justice system […]
Read moreThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a federal agency in charge of preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. The agency is also responsible for conducting research that pertains to work-related accidents. The agency is part of the Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) and has offices and research laboratories all over the United States. […]
Read moreIn the law, the term “negligence” refers to a failure of a person or entity to exercise a level of care necessary to protect others, whether in interest, or from physical harm, from actions or conditions that may cause them harm. Negligence most often comes into play concerning a person’s or entity’s actions, however it may also be an omission […]
Read moreA summary judgment is a decision made by the court on the basis of evidence and statements presented in the documents and legal pleadings filed with the court, without a full trial. Summary judgment, also referred to as “judgment as a matter of law,” may be requested by the submission of a motion for summary judgment by either party. The […]
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