The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Disparate impact is a legal doctrine which declares that a policy can be considered discriminatory if it “adversely impacts” a group based on that group’s traits, such as its race, color, religion, or sex. This is especially true when there is no legitimate need for such a policy. If someone finds a policy or practices to be discriminatory, then he […]
Read moreCrimes against humanity are criminal acts that are directed at an identifiable group of people. Genocide is an example of a crime against humanity. The Holocaust that took place during World War II was a crime against humanity. Crimes against humanity are typically motivated by the target group’s religion, ethnicity, or some other trait that is not the direct result […]
Read moreThe term curtilage refers to the immediate land and buildings, such as a shed or barn, that surround a home. Curtilage is the land between the home and the fence, should a fence exist, and is considered private property. Curtilage is meant to define the boundaries of a property so that a homeowner can enjoy a reasonable level of privacy. […]
Read moreThe term inequality refers to a condition of being unequal, or of being given an unequal share of treatment, status, or opportunity. People are often aware of inequalities in social status, human rights, education, job availability, and income opportunities. A continued perception of racial, social, and wealth inequality and discrimination continues to plague society, causing discontent, anger, and even fear. […]
Read moreThe term symbolic speech refers to an action that expresses an idea or opinion without using words alone. The law recognizes that verbal words are not the only way for people to express themselves, and so other methods of expression are protected by the Free Speech Clause of the Constitution. These may include such acts as the wearing of certain […]
Read moreTyranny is generally accepted as a severe form of government that is led by an incompetent leader who is both cruel and oppressive. These leaders are known as “tyrants,” and an example of tyranny is a government that controls its citizens with fear. As a result of being otherwise unfit to lead, the ruler may attempt to keep his power […]
Read moreSegregation is the act of separating certain people or things from their main group, and keeping them isolated due to the characteristics of that group. In a legal sense, this includes separation due to such traits as race or religion. Insofar as American history is concerned, an example of segregation can be seen in the practice of separating black and […]
Read moreThe term right to die refers to the issue of whether a person who has a terminal illness, or who is facing a lingering death, should be permitted to end his life on his own terms. Someone’s “right to die” sums up all of the decisions involved in such a complex issue. Examples of right to die decisions include whether […]
Read morePrejudice meaning in law Prejudice is an unjustified attitude or opinion, usually a negative one, directed toward an individual for something the individual cannot control. An example of prejudice is someone thinking poorly of another person for his belonging to a certain race, or for having different religious beliefs. Prejudice is different from discrimination, which refers to taking action based […]
Read moreJim Crow Laws are a part of American history, having been enacted at the state and local levels to mandate and maintain racial segregation in the southern United States. Public facilities followed these laws in order to abide by the “separate but equal” status used to classify black Americans at the time. Facilities set apart for use by black Americans were […]
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