The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Battery is the criminal act of intentionally touching, or applying force to the body of another person in an offensive manner, covering a wide range of acts, including those of a sexual nature. Simple battery is considered a misdemeanor in most states, but aggravating circumstances can cause battery to fall under the category of a felony. Each state has specific […]
Read moreThe concept of Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (“BFOQ”) allows employers to hire individuals based on their age, sex, race, national origin, or religion, if these specific qualifications are considered essential to the job, or considered vital to the business’ operation. Hiring employees with BFOQs may be considered a valid defense to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, […]
Read moreMany states have come up with legislation (“laws”) that compels certain standards in matters involving the offering of and selling securities. These “Blue Sky laws” are intended to protect consumers from being induced into uncertain or overly speculative investments, as well as protecting them against fraud. Each state specifies its own provisions to their Blue Sky laws, however all require […]
Read moreThe most commonly used type of contract, a bilateral contract contains a promise by each party to fulfill certain obligations to complete the deal. For example, a person offers their home for sale, and a buyer agrees to pay $150,000 to purchase the home. In this bilateral contract, each party is required to do something: the buyer must pay the […]
Read moreA tort is a wrongful act in which harm or injury is caused to another person. The term “tort” covers a vast range of actions in tort law, and is divided into subcategories, which include “intentional tort.” Intentional tort occurs when a person intends to perform an action that causes harm to another. For intentional tort to be proven, it […]
Read moreConcurrent jurisdiction occurs when more than one court has the authority to hear and decide a civil or criminal case. For instance, in the United States, both federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction to hear and decide many types of cases. Similarly, many states have instituted specialized courts, such as small claims courts, traffic courts, and family courts, which […]
Read moreIn civil law, the term “damages” refers to the sum of money that may be awarded to a party in compensation for an injury, damage to property, or other loss. There are two types of damages that may be awarded by the court, “compensatory,” and “punitive.” Compensatory damages, also referred to as “actual damages,” provide a plaintiff with the amount […]
Read moreAs it deals with the study, theory, and understanding of the law, American jurisprudence refers to the act of scrutinizing, classifying, and explaining the law. Such information may be found in law textbooks, legal encyclopedias, law reviews, and other publications containing “jurisprudential” information. Those who study jurisprudence, also referred to as “legal theorists,” “legal Philosophers,” and “social theorists of law,” […]
Read moreFraud takes place when a person deliberately practices deception in order to gain something unlawfully or unfairly. In most states, the act of fraud can be classified as either a civil or a criminal wrong. While fraud is most commonly committed to obtain benefits of value, it sometimes occurs solely for the purpose of deceiving another person or entity. For […]
Read moreForgery is a criminal act that takes place when a person falsifies something with the intent to deceive another person or entity. There are many kinds of forgery, but all are considered crimes in the United States. Forgery has a long history, but it became more common in the 20th century as technology has made it easier for criminals to […]
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