The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Following is the case brief for Florida v. Jardines, 569 U.S. 1 (2013) Case Summary of Florida v. Jardines: Police used a drug-sniffing dog on Jardines’ front porch, and the dog alerted to the smell of marijuana. The police then obtained a warrant, found marijuana in the home, and arrested Jardines. At trial, Jardines moved to suppress the marijuana evidence. […]
Read moreThe term “remand” means to place a person in custody or on bail while awaiting a trial. For example, a remand is necessary if the court believes the defendant may be a flight risk, or likely to leave the state while awaiting his trial. Remand can also mean to return a court case to a lower court from a higher […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Elonis v. United States, 135 S. Ct. 2001 (2015) Case Summary of Elonis v. United States: Anthony Elonis, whose wife and family just left him, started writing violent rap lyrics on Facebook. The lyrics were perceived as threats by his wife, his employer, a kindergarten class, and the FBI. He was charged with the […]
Read moreA “pro bono lawyer” is a lawyer who provides legal services as a form of charity for those who cannot afford a lawyer. For example, a pro bono lawyer may help a mother who is going through a divorce and has several children. A woman in this position may not be able to afford a lawyer, so the lawyer will […]
Read moreThe term “ex post facto” translates to “out of the aftermath,” or “from a thing done afterward.” In the legal world, the term refers to the punishing of an act that was once legal, but is now criminal. For example, ex post facto laws can either create new penalties for a particular action or extend sentences already issued. To explore […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957) Case Summary of Roth v. United States: This case consolidates two criminal convictions for obscenity. In the Roth case, a publisher was prosecuted under a federal law, which made it a crime to mail an obscene book. In the Alberts case, a man was prosecuted under […]
Read moreWhen someone has a “fiduciary duty,” this means that he is responsible for acting in a way that benefits another person. An example of a fiduciary duty is a legal guardian taking care of a minor. The legal guardian’s fiduciary duty is to make the best decisions on the minor’s behalf, such as medical care and the school the minor […]
Read moreThe term “obstruction of justice” refers to any action that a person willfully takes to obstruct, or hinder, the administration of justice. Obstruction of justice occurs when a person offers false information, or otherwise takes some action that frustrates an investigation or other legal process. An example of an obstruction of justice would be a person lying to the court […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27 (2001) Case Summary of Kyllo v. United States: Federal agents used a thermal imaging device outside of Kyllo’s home, suspecting that Kyllo was growing marijuana in his home, which requires use of heat lamps. The device indicated that more heat was emanating from Kyllo’s residence than from […]
Read moreA complaint in the legal world refers to the first document that is filed by the plaintiff in a case. This document lists all of the facts and reasons why the plaintiff believes he is justified in bringing his case against the defendant. For example, a complaint filed in a civil case may detail the ways in which the plaintiff […]
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