Dictionary of Law
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

sodomy :: legal definition


Sodomy - n. anal copulation by a man inserting his penis in the anus either of another man or a woman. If accomplished by force, without consent or with someone incapable of consent, sodomy is a felony in all states in the same way that rape is. Homosexual (male to male) sodomy between consenting adults has also been found a felony but increasingly is either decriminalized or seldom prosecuted. Sodomy with a consenting adult female is virtually never prosecuted even in those states in which it remains on the books as a criminal offense. However, there have been a few cases, including one in Indiana, in which a now-estranged wife insisted that a husband be charged with sodomy for sexual acts while they were living together. Traditionally sodomy was called "a crime against nature." Sodomy does not include oral copulation or sexual acts with animals (bestiality).

See also: bestiality rape and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abduction :: n. the criminal taking away of a person by persuas ... g of children. See also: kidnapping
administrative law :: n. the procedures created by administrative agenci ... judge Administrative Procedure Act
Administrative Procedure Act :: n. the federal act which established the rules and ... strative hearing administrative law
adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt
antitrust laws :: n. acts adopted by Congress to outlaw or restrict ... so: price fixing restraint of trade
attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed.
Attorney General :: n. in each state and the federal government the hi ... izenry. See also: Solicitor General
carnal knowledge :: n. from Latin carnalis for "fleshly:" sexual inter ... tate. See also: rape statutory rape
community property :: n. property and profits received by a husband and ... and distribution separate property
constitutional rights :: n. rights given or reserved to the people by the U ... e also: Bill of Rights constitution
copyright :: 1) n. the exclusive right of the author or creator ... plagiarism public domain trademark
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
crime against nature :: n. an oldfashioned term for sodomy (anal sexual in ... states. See also: bestiality sodomy
damages :: n. the amount of money which a plaintiff (the pers ... liquidated damages special damages
date rape :: n. forcible sexual intercourse by a male acquainta ... physical resistance. See also: rape
decriminalization :: n. the repeal or amendment of statutes which made ... gh clinics and other legal sources.
disbar :: v. to remove an attorney from the list of practici ... legal ethics. (See moral turpitude
eminent domain :: n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, st ... ngs. See also: condemn condemnation
equal opportunity :: 1) n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federa ... be so. See also: affirmative action
felony :: n. 1) a crime sufficiently serious to be punishabl ... ion. See also: misdemeanor sentence
first degree murder :: n. although it varies from state to state, it is g ... aughter murder second degree murder
harass :: (either harris or huh-rass) v. systematic and/or c ... also: harassment sexual harassment
harassment :: (either harris-meant or huh-rass-meant) n. the act ... See also: harass sexual harassment
incest :: n. sexual intercourse between close blood relative ... ily genes carrying such weaknesses.
incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock
injunction :: n. a writ (order) issued by a court ordering someo ... t. See also: injunctive relief writ
jury :: n. one of the remarkable innovations of the Englis ... hallenge sequester venire voir dire
kidnapping :: (also spelled kidnaping) n. the taking of a person ... but now applies to adults as well.
malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
Mann Act :: n. a federal statute making it a crime to transpor ... is five years in a federal prison.
marriage :: n. the joining of a male and female in matrimony b ... of time without legal formalities.
maxims :: n. a collection of legal truisms which are used as ... e and the ordinary habits of life."
molestation :: n. the crime of sexual acts with children up to th ... of rape. See also: pedophilia rape
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
police powers :: n. from the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, wh ... host of state regulatory statutes.
prostitute :: n. a person who receives payment for sexual interc ... also: pander panderer prostitution
prostitution :: n. the profession of performing sexual acts for mo ... so: pander panderer pimp prostitute
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
regulations :: n. rules and administrative codes issued by govern ... es usually have similar procedures.
reports :: n. the published decisions of appeals courts in al ... ilable in almost all law libraries.
robbery :: n. 1) the direct taking of property (including mon ... We've been robbed." See also: theft
seduction :: n. the use of charm, salesmanship, promises, gifts ... ry breach of promise date rape rape
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
sex offender :: n. generic term for all persons convicted of crime ... pornography rape sexual harassment
statutory rape :: n. sexual intercourse with a female below the lega ... majority minority molestation rape
three strikes, you're out :: n. recent (beginning 1994) legislation enacted in ... ich involve small amounts of money.
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator

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 - S

said :: adj. a reference back to a thing that was previous ... automobile in a negligent manner."
sale :: n. transfer of something (and title to it) in retu ... contract forced sale sheriff's sale
salvage :: 1) v. to save goods. 2) n. payment to a person or ... which saves cargo from a shipwreck.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
satisfaction :: n. receiving payment or performance of what is due ... n contract satisfaction of judgment
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
satisfaction of mortgage :: n. a document signed by a lender acknowledging tha ... id off the debt. See also: mortgage
save harmless :: v. 1) also called hold harmless, to indemnify (pro ... . See also: hold harmless indemnify
savings and loan :: n. a banking and lending institution, chartered ei ... vings into the home finance market.
scienter :: n. Latin for "having knowledge." In criminal law, ... ents were lies and thus fraudulent.
scintilla :: n. Latin for "spark." Scintilla is commonly used i ... ark) upon which to base a judgment.
scope of employment :: n. actions of an employee which further the busine ... ter and servant respondeat superior
scrivener :: n. a person who writes a document for another, usu ... r practicing law without a license.
seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today.
sealed verdict :: n. the decision of a jury when there is a delay in ... reconvenes. See also: jury verdict
sealing of records :: n. trial records and decisions which a judge order ... eep the terms from public scrutiny.
search :: v. 1) to examine another's premises (including a v ... e search and seizure search warrant
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
second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder