Dictionary of Law
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void for vagueness :: legal definition


Void for vagueness - adj. referring to a statute defining a crime which is so vague that a reasonable person of at least average intelligence could not determine what elements constitute the crime. Such a vague statute is unconstitutional on the basis that a defendant could not defend against a charge of a crime which he/she could not understand, and thus would be denied "due process" mandated by the 5th Amendment, applied to the states by the 14th Amendment.


Related Law Terms

attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed.
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
crime of passion :: n. a defendant's excuse for committing a crime due ... dant. See also: manslaughter murder
diversion :: n. in criminal procedure, a system for giving a ch ... second offense. See also: probation
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
juvenile court :: n. a special court or department of a trial court ... See also: court juvenile delinquent
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
plea bargain :: n. in criminal procedure, a negotiation between th ... the ban. See also: cop a plea plea
preliminary hearing :: n. in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a pe ... nment charge Grand Jury information
release on one's own recognizance :: v. for a judge to allow a criminal defendant pre-t ... ourtroom slang. See also: bail O.R.
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - V

vacate :: v. 1) for a judge to set aside or annul an order o ... of real estate and cease occupancy.
vagrancy :: n. moving about without a means to support oneself ... ue of "loitering." See also: loiter
valuable consideration :: n. a necessary element of a contract, which confer ... t. See also: consideration contract
variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof
vehicular manslaughter :: n. the crime of causing the death of a human being ... gence manslaughter reckless driving
vendee :: n. a buyer, particularly of real property. ... yer, particularly of real property.
vendor :: n. a seller, particularly of real property. ... ler, particularly of real property.
venire :: (ven-eer-ay) n. the list from which jurors may be ... y be selected. See also: jury panel
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
verdict :: n. the decision of a jury after a trial, which mus ... nt quotient verdict special verdict
verification :: n. the declaration under oath or upon penalty of p ... ed. See also: answer complaint oath
vest :: v. to give an absolute right to title or ownership ... . See also: vested vested remainder
vested :: adj. referring to having an absolute right or titl ... ed. See also: vest vested remainder
vested remainder :: n. the absolute right to receive title after a pre ... pass to him. See also: vest vested
vexatious litigation :: n. filing a lawsuit with the knowledge that it has ... lous malicious prosecution sanction
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability
vigilante :: n. someone who takes the law into his/her own hand ... lester of her child is a vigilante.
viz :: prep. to wit, or namely. Example: "There were seve ... d broken windows." See also: to wit
void :: adj. referring to a statute, contract, ruling or a ... udgment is void. See also: voidable
void for vagueness :: adj. referring to a statute defining a crime which ... o the states by the 14th Amendment.