Dictionary of Law
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impute :: legal definition


Impute - v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and therefore financial liability) for acts or injuries to another, because of a particular relationship, such as mother to child, guardian to ward, employer to employee or business associates. Example: a 16-year-old boy drives his father's car without a license and runs someone down. The child's negligence may be imputed to the parent, or, in the reverse, a mother drives her car and collides with a truck driven over the speed limit, and her baby in the front seat of the car is badly injured, in part due to not being put in a safety seat with a seat belt. The mother's negligence can be imputed to the child in any claim on behalf of the child against the truck driver. 2) to attribute knowledge and/or notice to a person only because of his/her relationship to the one actually possessing the information. Example: if a partner in a business is informed of something, that knowledge is imputed to his/her partner, and the partner is expected to have the information also.

See also: vicarious liability and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

acknowledgment :: n. the section at the end of a document where a no ... me leases and various other papers.
ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem
adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bulk sales acts :: n. state laws (spelled out in the Uniform Commerci ... g without paying current creditors.
care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
charitable remainder trust (Charitable Remainder Irrevocable Unitrust) :: n. a form of trust in which the donor (trustor or ... ed up or committed. See also: trust
child :: n. 1) a person's natural offspring. 2) a person 14 ... almost all states. See also: minor
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
commingling :: n. the act of mixing the funds belonging to one pa ... rust accounts for funds of another.
competent :: adj. 1) in general, able to act in the circumstanc ... all bases. See also: evidence will
confidential communication :: n. certain written communications which can be kep ... privilege privileged communication
conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer.
conservatee :: n. a person whom a court has determined because of ... and the like. See also: conservator
conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian
constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive
consumer protection laws :: n. almost all states and the federal government ha ... rranty product liability securities
contract :: 1) n. an agreement with specific terms between two ... n oral contract unilateral contract
contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
copartner :: n. one who is a member of a partnership. The prefi ... hip." See also: partner partnership
corporate opportunity :: n. a business opportunity which becomes known to a ... ative action fiduciary relationship
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state.
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
disinherit :: v. to intentionally take actions to guarantee that ... rorem clause pretermitted heir will
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
fiduciary relationship :: n. where one person places complete confidence in ... handling. See also: fiduciary trust
general partner :: n. 1) usually one of the owners and operators of a ... ted partnership partner partnership
Good Samaritan rule :: n. from a Biblical story, if a volunteer comes to ... a lawsuit for millions of dollars.
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
guest statute :: n. a state law which sets standards of care by the ... sked to be let out. See also: guest
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene.
in kind :: adj. referring to payment, distribution or substit ... . See also: distribution trust will
incompetent :: adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to m ... n incompetency incompetent evidence
incriminate :: v. to make a statement in which one admits that he ... d to information which would be so.
information and belief :: n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complai ... nswer complaint declaration perjury
informed consent :: n. agreement to do something or to allow something ... . See also: consent Miranda warning
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
intervening cause :: n. an event which occurs between the original impr ... cause negligence superseding cause
invasion of privacy :: n. the intrusion into the personal life of another ... randeis. See also: right to privacy
invitee :: n. a person who comes onto another's property, pre ... ail employees. See also: negligence
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
joint liability :: n. when two or more persons are both responsible f ... See also: joinder joint and several
joint tortfeasors :: n. two or more persons whose negligence in a singl ... : comparative negligence negligence
kidnapping :: (also spelled kidnaping) n. the taking of a person ... but now applies to adults as well.
lapse :: 1) v. to fail to occur, particularly a gift made i ... eficiary devisee legatee trust will
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
lesser-included offense :: n. in criminal law, a crime which is proved by the ... g jail time. See also: plea bargain
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property.
limited liability :: n. the maximum amount a person participating in a ... ted damages partnership shareholder
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
living will :: n. also called "a durable power of attorney," it i ... upport. See also: power of attorney
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
Massachusetts Trust :: n. a business in which the investors give manageme ... provide for eventual distribution.
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
not guilty :: n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm ... t guilty by reason of insanity plea
notary public :: n. a person authorized by the state in which the p ... he state which appoints the notary.
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
partner :: n. 1) one of the co-owners and investors in a "par ... ner limited partnership partnership
partnership :: n. a business enterprise entered into for profit w ... partnership partner silent partner
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
presumption :: n. a rule of law which permits a court to assume a ... resumption at all, but a certainty.
probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors.
reasonable care :: n. the degree of caution and concern for the safet ... . See also: duty of care negligence
rescue doctrine :: n. the rule of law that if a rescuer of a person h ... to the car grill. See also: damages
scope of employment :: n. actions of an employee which further the busine ... ter and servant respondeat superior
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
self-dealing :: n. in the stock market, using secret "inside" info ... ederal Securities and Exchange Act.
service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process
shield laws :: n. statutes enacted in some states which declare t ... See also: privileged communication
spontaneous exclamation :: n. a sudden statement caused by the speaker having ... et hit the girl." See also: hearsay
standard of care :: n. the watchfulness, attention, caution and pruden ... of care foreseeable risk negligence
star chamber proceedings :: n. any judicial or quasi-judicial action, trial or ... ate 1960s. See also: kangaroo court
state of domicile :: n. the state in which a person has his/her permane ... orated. See also: domicile resident
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
straw man :: n. 1) a person to whom title to property or a busi ... a trail will mislead hunting dogs).
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
subrogation :: n. assuming the legal rights of a person for whom ... also: negligence subrogee subrogor
trust :: n. an entity created to hold assets for the benefi ... testamentary trust trustee trustor
unconscionable :: adj. referring to a contract or bargain which is s ... ee also: adhesion contract contract
vehicular manslaughter :: n. the crime of causing the death of a human being ... gence manslaughter reckless driving
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability

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 - I

i.e. :: prep. abbreviation for id est, which is Latin for ... "e.g.," which means "for example."
illegal :: 1) adj. in violation of statute, regulation or ord ... . See also: alien illegal immigrant
illegal immigrant :: n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the Unit ... ion date of a visa. See also: alien
illusory promise :: n. an agreement to do something that is so indefin ... he may have thought was a contract.
immaterial :: adj. a commonly heard objection to introducing evi ... ons. See also: irrelevant objection
immediately :: adv. 1) at once. 2) in orders of the court or in c ... oon as can be done" without excuse.
immunity :: n. exemption from penalties, payments or legal req ... ws. See also: governmental immunity
impanel :: v. to select and install a jury. See also: impanel ... l a jury. See also: impaneling jury
impaneling :: n. the act of selecting a jury from the list of po ... e juror jury panel venire voir dire
impeach :: v. 1) to discredit the testimony of a witness by p ... ve been found guilty by the Senate.
impeachment :: n. 1) discrediting a witness by showing that he/sh ... the trial itself. See also: impeach
impleader :: n. a procedural device before trial in which a par ... than having two suits in a series.
implied :: adj., adv. referring to circumstances, conduct or ... nt implied consent implied warranty
implied consent :: n. consent when surrounding circumstances exist wh ... aybe" or "later." See also: implied
implied contract :: n. an agreement which is found to exist based on t ... : contract express contract implied
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied
implied warranty :: n. an assumption at law that products are "merchan ... er. See also: caveat emptor implied
impossibility :: n. when an act cannot be performed due to nature, ... cel) a contract. See also: contract
impotence :: n. the male's inability to copulate. Impotence can ... eans inability to produce children.
impound :: v. 1) to collect funds, in addition to installment ... cases. See also: forfeit forfeiture