The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The 3rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution concerns housing soldiers during wartime. For example, the 3rd Amendment forbids soldiers from temporarily taking up residence in citizens’ houses during peace time, unless they have consent from the homeowner to do so. While not normally enforced in modern times, the 3rd Amendment was particularly necessary during the American Revolutionary War. It is […]
Read moreThe best evidence rule is a rule of evidence that requires an original document, photograph, or other piece of evidence be introduced to the court to prove the contents of that same item. As an example of the best evidence rule’s purpose, consider a plaintiff arguing that a specific provision to a contract didn’t exist. The parties must produce the […]
Read moreWhen a third party intervenes, destroying the affection that binds two married people, he or she as caused alienation of affection. Historically, the individual harmed by this destruction of the relationship could seek damages through a civil lawsuit. In modern times, this is not common, though the issue may be brought up in divorce proceedings. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreThe 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution tackles the issues of equal protection under the law, and the rights of citizens. Unsurprisingly, the 14th Amendment was met with a great deal of contention at the time it was proposed. This was due to the fact that the states that were once part of the Confederacy were forced to ratify the […]
Read moreThe 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is perhaps most memorable for being directly tied to the women’s suffrage movement that took place in the U.S. at both the state and federal levels. For example, the 19th Amendment prohibited state and federal governments from denying citizens the right to vote because of their sex. This was necessary because, until as […]
Read moreThe 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution concerns term limits of presidents and vice presidents of the United States, as well as those of members of Congress. Specifically, the 20th Amendment moved the beginning of the terms of the president and vice president from March 4 to January 20. It also moved the beginning of the terms of members of […]
Read moreThe 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution deals with the concepts of voting and paying taxes. Simply put: a person’s right to vote cannot be denied him simply because he owes poll taxes, or taxes of any other kind. A poll tax is a type of tax that used to be required before people could vote, until it was abolished […]
Read moreThe legal term constructive eviction refers to a landlord’s action – or failure to take action – that makes the premises uninhabitable, or which robs the tenant of the use and enjoyment of the premises. This occurs without taking steps to legally evict a tenant, rather simply making staying so miserable that the tenant just leaves. Constructive eviction is not […]
Read moreA true bill is a written decision, handed down by a grand jury, that the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient to believe that the accused person likely committed the crime, and should be indicted. The words “true bill” are endorsed on the bill of indictment, which is then signed by the grand jury foreperson, indicating that there is […]
Read moreVehicular manslaughter is also known as vehicular homicide. Both terms refer to a crime involving the death of a person other than the driver, as the result of either the negligent or intentionally malicious operation of a vehicle. Vehicular manslaughter is more often used to describe cases of criminal negligence, whereas vehicular homicide can be used more generally to mean […]
Read more