The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Double jeopardy protects people from being tried for the same crime twice in a court of law. The clause is found in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, where it was included to prevent the government from erroneously or maliciously convicting innocent people, and to protect people from the consequences of successive prosecutions. It also helps to preserve […]
Read moreIssued by a Grand Jury, an indictment is a formal written charge of a crime, informing the accused individual of the charge against him. In most cases, the issuance of an indictment marks the beginning of the trial process. The indictment contains a brief statement of where and when the crime took place, as well as how the accused allegedly […]
Read moreArson is the criminal act of burning or charring property on purpose. The act of arson may include such acts as setting fire to a property maliciously, or burning a property with the intent to collect insurance money. While most people consider arson to be the burning of buildings, it may also be the burning of cars, boats, personal property, […]
Read moreFelony meaning in law Felony is the classification of the most serious types of crimes. Covering a wide range of criminal acts, felonies often involve crimes involving physical harm, or large scale theft and fraud. Punishment for these types of crimes often includes imprisonment, the length of which is defined in each state’s penal codes. To explore this concept, consider […]
Read moreBurglary is a crime defined as unlawful entry into a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime. Physically breaking and entering is not a requirement for a person to be charged with burglary. The offender only has to enter a structure, even if it is through an open door, with the intent of stealing something or causing […]
Read moreIn the U.S. criminal legal system, a prosecutor bears the burden of proving that the defendant is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt” of the crime for which he has been accused. This means that the proposition, scenario, or facts presented by the prosecution must be proven to the jury to the extent that there could be no “reasonable doubt” in […]
Read moreThe term “criminal law” refers to the actual laws, statutes, and rules that define acts and conduct as crimes, and establishes punishments for each type of crime. Criminal acts are generally those seen by the government to threaten public welfare or safety, the severity of which categorizes various crimes as either misdemeanor or felony. To explore this concept, consider the […]
Read moreA directed verdict occurs in a jury trial when the presiding judge orders the jury to return a specific verdict. This typically takes place when the judge learns that no reasonable jury could reach any other decision. After the directed verdict is ordered, the jury no longer has to decide the case, and is dismissed. A directed verdict may be […]
Read moreUnder the system of ethics described by German philosopher Immanuel Kant, a categorical imperative is an absolute moral obligation to do or not do something that applies to all rational beings, with no consideration for personal desires, motives, or inclinations. To explore this concept, consider the following categorical imperative definition. Definition of Categorical Imperative Noun A moral obligation or duty […]
Read moreA defendant is a person or entity that is facing a civil lawsuit, or that has been accused of a crime. The word “defendant” is often used interchangeably with other terms including “accused” or “respondent.” A criminal defendant has been charged with committing a crime, and is often placed in jail until bail is posted or the resolution of a […]
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