The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The meaning of ratio decidendi is Latin for “the reason,” or “the foundation for” a decision. For example, ratio decidendi in the field of law refers to the moment or principle in a case that ultimately determines its outcome. Ratio decidendi is a legal rule regarding the legal reasoning behind the judgment of the judge or jury. To explore this […]
Read moreThe meaning of “martial law” is the military taking control over what would normally be regular civilian functions. For example, martial law occurs in the wake of a natural disaster to impose order on what might otherwise become the hysterical masses. In some countries, governments may use this control as a way to enforce their power over the general public. […]
Read moreThe meaning of RICO law, or the “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act,” is that it is a law that allows authorities to punish offenders engaging in criminal activities, particularly racketeering. For example, RICO law punishes crime bosses who order their subordinates to carry out criminal activities for them. Else, these bosses could claim innocence because they technically were not […]
Read moreA Stand Your Ground Law is a law that allows citizens to protect themselves if they feel their lives are in danger, regardless of whether they could have safely exited the situation. For example, Stand Your Ground law states that no one should feel forced to leave a premises they have every right to be in. Therefore, the law allows […]
Read moreThe term “asset forfeiture” refers to the property the state confiscates from a defendant after a criminal or civil conviction. For example, asset forfeiture occurs when the state confiscates an expensive car from a drug dealer. The state then puts these items up for auction and uses the proceeds to both repay the victims of the crime and to fund […]
Read moreThe meaning of flagrante delicto lies in its Latin origin, which, in the law, refers to catching someone in the act of committing a crime. In flagrante delicto and in flagrante are additional ways of describing such a situation. For example, flagrante delicto exists when a convenience store clerk comes back from the bathroom to find a robber stealing money […]
Read moreThe term mea culpa is a Latin phrase that translates to mean “through my fault.” In other words, the mea culpa meaning is an individual’s acknowledgment that he did something wrong. An example of mea culpa in the legal world is a person’s confession to having committed a crime. To explore this concept, consider the following mea culpa definition. Definition […]
Read moreThe term “standard of care” refers to the reasonable degree of care a person should provide to another person, typically in a professional or medical setting. For example, standard of care in the case of a cancer patient could include a recommendation of chemotherapy or surgery. If the doctor does not treat the patient to the best of his ability, […]
Read moreThe term “guilt by association” refers to the idea that an individual is guilty of a crime simply because of his association with the person who actually committed it. The guilt by association meaning exists, not because of proof, but more because of an individual’s assumption. An example of guilt by association is the assumption that everyone in a group […]
Read moreNegligent homicide refers to the killing of another person through reckless or negligent behavior. It differs from other forms of homicide due to the implied lack of malice and intent. Common examples of negligent homicide involve motor vehicle accidents that result in fatalities. To explore this concept, consider the following negligent homicide definition. Definition or Negligent Homicide Noun The killing […]
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