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Dictionary of Law |
invasion of privacy :: legal definitionInvasion of privacy - n. the intrusion into the personal life of another, without just cause, which can give the person whose privacy has been invaded a right to bring a lawsuit for damages against the person or entity that intruded. However, public personages are not protected in most situations, since they have placed themselves already within the public eye, and their activities (even personal and sometimes intimate) are considered newsworthy, i.e. of legitimate public interest. However, an otherwise non-public individual has a right to privacy from: a) intrusion on one's solitude or into one's private affairs; b) public disclosure of embarrassing private information; c) publicity which puts him/her in a false light to the public; d) appropriation of one's name or picture for personal or commercial advantage. Lawsuits have arisen from magazine articles on obscure geniuses, use of a wife's name on a hospital insurance form to obtain insurance payment for delivery of a mistress's baby, unauthorized use of a girl's photo to advertise a photographer, and "tabloid" journalism treatment of people as freaks. There are also numerous instances of governmental invasion of privacy such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation compiling files on people considered as political opponents, partially corrected by the passage of the Freedom of Information Act in 1966. The right to privacy originated with an article in the Harvard Law Review in the 1890s written by lawyers "Bull" Warren and future Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis. See also: right to privacy and Related Law Terms ↓ Related Law Termsabandoned property :: n. property left behind (often by a tenant) intent ... -use. See also: abandon abandonmentabandonment :: n. the act of intentionally and permanently giving ... : abandon abandoned property patent 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 adjuster :: n. an employee (usually a non-lawyer) of an insura ... e company in approving settlements. adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt agency :: n. the relationship of a person (called the agent) ... ondeat superior scope of employment arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant articles of incorporation :: n. the basic charter of a corporation which spells ... year's taxes. See also: corporation Bill of Rights :: n. the first ten amendments to the federal Constit ... ved to the states or to the people. canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection. civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights civil rights :: n. those rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, ... ill of Rights civil civil liberties class action :: n. a lawsuit filed by one or more people on behalf ... ees usually require court approval. condemnation action :: n. a lawsuit brought by a public agency to acquire ... e also: condemnation eminent domain conflict of interest :: n. a situation in which a person has a duty to mor ... a position adverse to the customer. constitutional rights :: n. rights given or reserved to the people by the U ... e also: Bill of Rights constitution constructive notice :: n. a fiction that a person got notice even though ... personally. See also: constructive 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 d.b.a. :: n. short for "doing business as," when a person or ... that is registered with the state. dangerous weapon :: n. any gun, knife, sword, crossbow, slingshot or o ... igence and possibly win a judgment. double jeopardy :: n. placing someone on trial a second time for an o ... that occurred thirty years earlier. easement :: n. the right to use the real property of another f ... rstandings at the time of creation. 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 equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law extrinsic fraud :: n. fraudulent acts which keep a person from obtain ... it. See also: fraud intrinsic fraud fair comment :: n. a statement of opinion (no matter how ludicrous ... amation libel public figure slander fair use :: n. the non-competitive right to use of copyrighted ... for a royalty. See also: copyright franchise :: 1) n. a right granted by the government to a perso ... on property, income or profits tax. fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud gag order :: n. a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and t ... st day in office, January 22, 1993. grace period :: n. a time stated in a contract in which a late pay ... the contract, i.e. your insurance. guest :: n. 1) in general, a person paying to stay in a hot ... ce. See also: guest statute invitee hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay highway :: n. any public street, road, turnpike or canal whic ... rivilege and not an absolute right. hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene. implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing :: n. a general assumption of the law of contracts, t ... -long employment. See also: implied impute :: v. 1) to attach to a person responsibility (and th ... also. See also: vicarious liability in personam :: adj. (in purr-soh-nam) from Latin for "directed to ... here. See also: in rem jurisdiction incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock incriminate :: v. to make a statement in which one admits that he ... d to information which would be so. indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing information and belief :: n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complai ... nswer complaint declaration perjury insured :: n. 1) the person or entity who will be compensated ... s go to others. See also: insurance interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing 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 jurat :: (jur-at) n. Latin for "been sworn," the portion of ... wledgment declaration notary public jury fees :: n. the rather minimal amount paid each day to juro ... ees as a court cost. See also: jury justice :: n. 1) fairness. 2) moral rightness. 3) a scheme or ... e appellate courts. See also: court laches :: n. the legal doctrine that a legal right or claim ... , breach of contract, fraud, etc.). lawsuit :: n. a common term for a legal action by one person ... See also: case cause of action suit lease :: 1) n. a written agreement in which the owner of pr ... triple net lease unlawful detainer 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 license :: 1) n. governmental permission to perform a particu ... eement. See also: licensee licensor life estate :: n. the right to use or occupy real property for on ... hter, Sadie, will own the property. literary property :: n. the writings of an author which entitles him/he ... as copyrighted. See also: copyright malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander minority :: n. 1) in voting, a side with less than half the vo ... See also: legal age majority minor Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights misappropriation :: n. the intentional, illegal use of the property or ... mbezzlement fiduciary larceny theft mortgage :: n. a document in which the owner pledges his/her/i ... losure notice of default trust deed negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain 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 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 nuisance :: n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful u ... evening). See also: public nuisance on the merits :: adj. referring to a judgment, decision or ruling o ... s if this mistake had not occurred. pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent patent :: 1) adj. obvious. Used in such expressions as a "pa ... patent infringement patent pending petition :: 1) n. a formal written request to a court for an o ... dent. See also: divorce motion writ possession :: n. 1) any article, object, asset or property which ... ctive possession. See also: possess privacy :: n. the right to be free of unnecessary public scru ... lso: public figure right to privacy private road :: n. a road or driveway on privately owned property, ... ng. See also: prescriptive easement process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury property :: n. anything that is owned by a person or entity. P ... rty real property separate property public :: 1) n. the people of the nation, state, county, dis ... lands and public and private roads. public easement :: n. the right of the general public to use certain ... lso: easement prescriptive easement public nuisance :: n. a nuisance which affects numerous members of th ... y the neighbors. See also: nuisance public trust doctrine :: n. the principle that the government holds title t ... interest has been dubious at best. public use :: n. the only purpose for which private property can ... e also: condemnation eminent domain real property :: n. 1) all land, structures, firmly attached and in ... onal property real estate reversion remedy :: n. the means to achieve justice in any matter in w ... gment provisional remedy settlement reputation :: n. a person's good name, honor or what the communi ... See also: defamation libel slander right to privacy :: n. the possible right to be let alone, in absence ... e also: invasion of privacy privacy rights :: n. 1) plural of right, which is the collection of ... evidence. See also: Miranda warning self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide service by publication :: n. serving a summons or other legal document in a ... perty. See also: service of process service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service settlement :: n. the resolution of a lawsuit (or of a legal disp ... ult in settlement. See also: settle sound mind and memory :: n. having an understanding of one's actions and re ... ee also: competent incompetent will standard of care :: n. the watchfulness, attention, caution and pruden ... of care foreseeable risk negligence state action :: n. in federal Civil Rights Acts, dating back to 18 ... for damages. See also: civil rights statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll subrogation :: n. assuming the legal rights of a person for whom ... also: negligence subrogee subrogor subrogor :: n. a person or entity that transfers his/her/its l ... ges. See also: subrogation subrogee tenancy in common :: n. title to property (usually real property, but i ... on. See also: joint tenancy tenancy theft :: n. the generic term for all crimes in which a pers ... rglary embezzlement larceny robbery unconscionable :: adj. referring to a contract or bargain which is s ... ee also: adhesion contract contract unlawful detainer :: n. 1) keeping possession of real property without ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice use :: n. the right to enjoy the benefits of real propert ... ay it is only of academic interest. venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens wiretap :: n. using an electronic device to listen in on tele ... invasion of privacy probable cause witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will 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 - Ii.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 |