The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Juvenile delinquency is the participation by a minor child, usually between the ages of 10 and 17, in illegal behavior or activities. Juvenile delinquency is also used to refer to children who exhibit a persistent behavior of mischievousness or disobedience, so as to be considered out of parental control, becoming subject to legal action by the court system. Juvenile delinquency […]
Read moreStalking is a pattern of repeated behavior that includes unwanted attention, contact, harassment, or other conduct towards a specific person. Stalking behaviors may be committed in person, by following the victim, or by monitoring and harassing the victim electronically. Both men and women are victims of stalking all over the world. To explore this concept, consider the following stalking definition. […]
Read morePerjury is the act of intentionally lying, or telling an untruth, whether verbally or in writing, while under oath in an official proceeding. The act of perjury is only considered a crime under certain specific circumstances, the details of which vary by jurisdiction. The courts view perjury as a serious offense, as lying and misrepresenting facts given in testimony, effectively […]
Read moreA pardon is a governmental decision to absolve an individual for a criminal conviction, often times freeing him from all or part of the punishment imposed at sentencing. Pardons are typically granted by the President, or by individual state governors, usually to absolve individuals, but may be granted, in certain circumstances, for groups of people. Federal pardons are granted by […]
Read moreA jury is a group of one’s peers that are sworn to give a verdict in a legal matter based on the testimony presented at trial. The Constitution of the United States guarantees an individual the right to a jury trial should he face criminal charges in court. A jury is also used to render a verdict in many civil […]
Read moreHomicide is defined as the taking of a person’s life, regardless of the intent or the circumstances surrounding the death. This means that a homicide is not necessarily a murder, but may be caused by an accident, an execution, or even abortion. Homicide itself is not necessarily a crime, though the circumstances that resulted in the individual’s death may raise […]
Read moreAn injunction is a court order that compels an individual or entity to do, refrain from doing, or to stop doing, a specified thing. When filing a civil lawsuit, the plaintiff must specify what relief he is seeking from the court. Many civil lawsuits in the United States seek monetary compensation, or money damages. In some cases, however, money will […]
Read moreHabeas corpus is a legal action in which a prisoner challenges the authority of the jail or prison to continue holding him. This Latin term translates as, “you have the body,” and it allows incarcerated people to seek relief from unlawful confinement. Habeas corpus is a protection against illegal imprisonment, afforded to United States citizens as outlined in the Suspension […]
Read moreIdentity theft is the act of stealing another person’s personal identifying information in order to gain access to his financial resources, or obtain access to other benefits, such as money, credit, or insurance benefits. Identity theft, sometimes referred to as “identity fraud,” is a crime that carries serious consequences. To explore this concept, consider the following identity theft definition. Definition […]
Read moreA court reporter is a person that transcribes speech into written form. This is done in order to produce official transcripts at various legal proceedings. A transcriber may also be used in other official settings such as conferences or depositions at private law firms, or meetings or hearings at state agencies, trade associations, and non-profit organizations. To explore this concept, […]
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