The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Legal documents are generally broken down into many numbered sections, making navigation through the document easier. These separate sections, paragraphs, segments, and phrases are called “clauses.” Clauses are commonly used in contracts, deeds, wills, settlement agreements, and other important documents. To explore this concept, consider the following clause definition. Definition of Clause Noun A distinct provision, article, section, or paragraph […]
Read moreThe term censorship refers to the suppression, banning, or deletion of speech, writing, or images that are considered to be indecent, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Censorship becomes a civil rights issue when a government or other entity with authority, suppresses ideas, or the expression of ideas, information, and self. In the U.S., censorship has been debated for decades, as some […]
Read moreThe term civil rights refers to the basic rights afforded, by laws of the government, to every person, regardless of race, nationality, color, gender, age, religion, or disability. This refers to such rights as equal citizenship, equal protection under the law, and due process. Civil rights differ subtly from civil liberties, in that they deal with rights granted by the […]
Read moreThe term citation has two different uses in a legal sense: one use of the term is an official order to appear in court, such as a traffic ticket (or traffic citation); the term is also used in making reference to authoritative documents, or giving credit to outside sources in writing articles, reports, or other documents. Court citations are fairly […]
Read moreCivil liberties are freedoms due every individual, just based on the fact that they are human beings. The Declaration of Independence asserts the creed of the American people, as it declares that all men are endowed with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Civil liberties are not gifted by governmental action, as they are […]
Read moreChecks and balances is a system for making sure that one department does not exceed its bounds, or for guarding against fraud and errors. In the U.S. government, the system of checks and balances is set to be a sentry over the separation of powers, balancing the separate branches of government. In a system of checks and balances, the authority […]
Read moreCausation is a term used to refer to the relationship between a person’s actions and the result of those actions. In a legal sense, causation is used to connect the dots between a person’s actions, such as driving under the influence, and the result, such as an accident causing serious injuries. Establishing causation is not, in itself, enough to determine […]
Read moreCategorical grants are the primary source of federal assistance to local and state governments, and other entities. These grants are issued for a specific purpose, and can only be used for that explicitly defined objective. The government may issue categorical grants on a per-project basis, or based on a formula of purpose and financial need. States are never required to […]
Read moreThe term case law refers to law that comes from decisions made by judges in previous cases. Case law, also known as “common law,” and “case precedent,” provides a common contextual background for certain legal concepts, and how they are applied in certain types of case. How much sway case law holds may vary by jurisdiction, and by the exact […]
Read moreCapital murder is a murder that subjects the perpetrator to the death penalty if found guilty. For this to apply, there has to have been some horrific extenuating circumstance, often called “special circumstance,” in addition to causing the death. This may include such things as murdering a police officer, murdering a child, or murdering multiple victims. To explore this concept, […]
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