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Dictionary of Law |
obscene :: legal definitionObscene - adj., adv. a highly subjective reference to material or acts which display or describe sexual activity in a manner appealing only to "prurient interest," with no legitimate artistic, literary or scientific purpose. Pictures, writings, film or public acts which are found to be obscene are not protected by the free speech guarantee of the First Amendment. However, the courts have had difficulty making a clear non-subjective definition since "one person's obscenity is another person's art," or, as one Supreme Court Justice stated, "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it." See also: pornography and Related Law Terms ↓ Related Law Termsabuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay.act :: 1) n. in general, any action by a person. 2) n. a ... ct on your motion for a new trial." ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem administrator :: n. the person appointed by the court to handle the ... e also: administer executor probate agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment apparent authority :: n. the appearance of being the agent of another (e ... e also: agency ostensible authority arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant bailiff :: n. 1) a court official, usually a deputy sheriff, ... isdictional territory of a bailiff. bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian declaration of mailing :: n. a form stating that a particular document has b ... other party. See also: declaration dismissal :: n. 1) the act of voluntarily terminating a crimina ... f the settlement. See also: dismiss duty of care :: n. a requirement that a person act toward others a ... e also: negligence standard of care equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law fiduciary :: 1) n. from the Latin fiducia, meaning "trust," a p ... lation fiduciary relationship trust guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay incompetency :: n. the condition of lacking the ability to handle ... and/or represented by an attorney. indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing indigent :: 1) n. a person so poor and needy that he/she canno ... person who is very poor and needy. injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ injunctive relief :: n. a court-ordered act or prohibition against an a ... t injunction restraining order writ insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman justice :: n. 1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or ... e appellate courts. See also: court liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence nominee :: n. 1) a person or entity who is requested or named ... ic office. See also: agent executor notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice order :: 1) n. every direction or mandate of a judge or a c ... defendant. See also: judge judgment pleading :: n. 1) every legal document filed in a lawsuit, pet ... nswer complaint demurrer plea plead probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property remedy :: n. the means to achieve justice in any matter in w ... gment provisional remedy settlement represent :: v. 1) to act as the agent for another. 2) to act a ... parties." See also: representation rights :: n. 1) plural of right, which is the collection of ... evidence. See also: Miranda warning special administrator :: n. a person appointed by the court in a probate pr ... or administrator. See also: probate special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator Popular Law Searcheslegal 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 - OO.R. :: n. short for "own recognizance," meaning the judge ... "OR-ed." See also: own recognizanceO.S.C. :: n. short for order to show cause. See also: order ... ause. See also: order to show cause oath :: n. 1) a swearing to tell the truth, the whole trut ... ountry. See also: affidavit perjury obiter dicta :: : (oh-bitter dick-tah) n. remarks of a judge which ... imply dicta. See also: dicta dictum object :: 1) v. to ask the court not to allow a particular q ... he contract..." See also: objection objection :: n. a lawyer's protest about the legal propriety of ... ng question object overrule sustain obligation :: n. a legal duty to pay or do something. ... legal duty to pay or do something. obligee :: (ah-bluh-jee) n. the person or entity to whom an o ... ne to be paid on a promissory note. obligor :: (ah-bluh-gore) n. the person or entity who owes an ... who must pay on a promissory note. obscene :: adj., adv. a highly subjective reference to materi ... en I see it." See also: pornography obstruction of justice :: n. an attempt to interfere with the administration ... n arrest. Such activity is a crime. occupancy :: n. 1) living in or using premises, as a tenant or ... ining ownership. See also: occupant occupant :: n. 1) someone living in a residence or using premi ... gain ownership. See also: occupancy occupation :: n. 1) fairly permanent trade, profession, employme ... of real property or use of a thing. occupational disease :: n. an illness resulting from long-term employment ... tion for a work-related disability. occupational hazard :: n. a danger or risk inherent in certain employment ... e of death or injury while at work. occupy the field :: v. to preempt (monopolize) an area of statutory la ... ertain topics. See also: preemption of counsel :: adj. reference to an attorney who is not actively ... quiring his/her full-time presence. off calendar :: adj. refers to an order of the court to take a law ... of either party. See also: calendar offender :: n. an accused defendant in a criminal case or one ... crime. See also: accused defendant |