The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Extortion Meaning in law The term extortion refers to the crime of obtaining money or property by using threats of harm against the victim, or against his property or family. Extortion might involve threats of damage to the victim’s reputation, or to his financial well being. Anything obtained by the use of extortion, including consent, has been illegally obtained, and […]
Read moreAccording to the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”), the term cybercrime refers to any illegal activity for which a computer is used as its primary means of commission, transmission, or storage. The list of criminal activities made possible by the widespread use of computers how grown exponentially in recent decades, and includes such acts as dissemination of computer viruses, […]
Read morePart of the pre-trial discovery process, a party to a civil lawsuit, or his attorney, may set up a deposition to take the sworn testimony of the opposing party, a witness to the incident, or an expert witness. The actual deposition is a meeting which occurs outside the courtroom, usually at an attorney’s office, and is done before the trial […]
Read moreCounterfeiting is a criminal offense that involves fraudulently manufacturing and distributing an item of lesser value than the genuine product, usually for the purpose of monetary gain. Counterfeiting is commonly seen in the form of counterfeiting money, including currency and coins, but also involves the fraudulent production of copies of valuable digital media, such as CDs and DVDs, as well […]
Read moreThe legal term assault refers to an attempt by one person to cause serious bodily harm to another person. This may be through a deliberate act, or through irresponsible actions that show a deliberate lack of respect for the victim’s safety. Assault is also defined as carrying out threat of bodily harm, or having the ability to carry out the […]
Read moreA Last Will and Testament, now most commonly referred to simply as a “Will,” is a legal document in which an individual records his wishes as to how his possessions and affairs should be handled after his death. The individual making the Will may specify, for example, who should take custody of his children, and which heirs should be given […]
Read moreInsurance fraud occurs when a person or entity makes false insurance claims in order to obtain compensation or benefits to which they are not entitled. Insurance fraud is committed in many forms, but regardless of the type, it is considered a serious crime in all jurisdictions. To explore this concept, consider the following insurance fraud definition. Definition of Insurance Fraud […]
Read moreA subpoena is a court-ordered demand that a person appear in court or other legal proceeding, or that specific documents be produced and presented at a specified date, time, and location. The Latin word subpoena means “under penalty,” and if a person refuses, or fails to comply with a subpoena, he is subject to civil or criminal penalties. To explore […]
Read moreSpousal support refers to the obligation of a person to provide financial support to his or her spouse after separation or divorce. The purpose of spousal support, also referred to as “alimony,” is to reduce the unfair financial effects of divorce on a lower-wage-earning spouse, and to help ensure each spouse is able to maintain the same standard of living […]
Read moreGetting married symbolizes more than just an emotional commitment, it entails a life-long commitment to mesh lives, commingle assets, and parent children. Ending a marriage through divorce also has life-long consequences, both legal and financial, as well as consequences for any children of the marriage. Because separating joined lives can be difficult and messy, each state has specific steps that […]
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