The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Debauchery is the unrestrained indulgence in decadence or what might be considered “sinful” behaviors. Examples of debauchery include sexual activity, drunkenness, or drug abuse. The term debauchery is used throughout the Bible, to describe what would today be considered “partying.” The act of debauchery involves someone engaging in “unholy” activities, and it typically refers to out-of-control behavior for the purpose […]
Read moreCriminal intent is the conscious decision someone makes to deliberately engage in an unlawful or negligent act, or to harm someone else. There are four specific examples of criminal intent: purposeful, reckless, knowing, and negligent. An act becomes criminal when taking into account the intent of the person who carries it out. Additionally, acts of criminal intent are measured by […]
Read moreA military discharge is given to each person who leaves his or her military service. The discharge certificate specifies the conditions under which the individual left the military – whether at the completion of his term of service, or whether the individual was forced to leave early due to a medical or other reason. Should the individual be discharged for […]
Read moreThe term adultery refers to sexual relations between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse. In other words, it is having sex with someone other than your spouse. Adultery has been viewed as both socially and spiritually throughout history, and is mentioned many times in the Bible. In a modern legal sense, adultery is […]
Read moreAbduction refers to the act of restraining, or carrying or leading someone away, especially if the purpose is to disrupt a relationship. Examples of abduction include those related to child custody disputes, in which a parent may abduct a child in order to keep the child away from the other parent. Abduction is commonly accomplished by luring, convincing, or persuading […]
Read moreA whistleblower is an employee who notices and reports wrongdoing within his company or organization, which could negatively affect the public as a whole. Whistleblowers are protected under the law. This means that whistleblowers should not have to fear retribution, such as the loss of their jobs, simply because they “blew the whistle,” speaking up against unlawful acts. To explore […]
Read moreAn Alford plea is a plea that may be entered by a defendant who has been charged with a crime. In entering an Alford plea, the individual essentially enters a plea of guilty, while maintaining a claim of innocence. In such a case, the defendant is admitting that, whatever evidence the prosecution has is likely to convince the court he […]
Read moreVerbal abuse is also known as “verbal bullying” because it is the act of directing negative statements toward someone, causing emotional harm. Verbal abuse consists of behaviors that are non-physical, but which can still be rather damaging, such as being threatening, insulting, or humiliating toward someone. Those who are verbally abusive tend to be so because they believe it will […]
Read moreDuress is a compulsion, coercion, or pressure to do something. In a legal sense, this refers to forcing someone to do something, or to sign a contract, by threatening his personal safety, his reputation, or other personal issue. When someone agrees to do something only because he is being threatened – or under duress – the law is likely to […]
Read moreGenerally, the term “shoplifting” describes an act of theft committed by someone who steals merchandise from a place of business. Shoplifting may also be referred to as “retail theft,” or the “concealment of merchandise,” depending on which state is defining the crime. Shoplifting is an act of larceny, which is the act of taking someone else’s property without permission, and […]
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