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
Founded: 44
homicide :: n. the killing of a human being due to the act or ... aughter murder self-defense suicide
assault and battery :: n. the combination of the two crimes of threat (as ... damages. See also: assault battery
justifiable homicide :: n. a killing without evil or criminal intent, for ... me. See also: homicide self-defense
aggravated assault :: n. the crime of physically attacking another perso ... in state prison. See also: assault
assault :: 1) v. the threat or attempt to strike another, whe ... ult, including for mental distress.
self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide
civil :: adj. 1) that part of the law that encompasses busi ... also: civil liberties civil rights
youthful offenders :: n. under-age people accused of crimes who are proc ... alty. See also: juvenile delinquent
wrongful death :: n. the death of a human being as the result of a w ... ual beneficiaries (family members).
tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death
strict liability :: n. automatic responsibility (without having to pro ... bility negligence res ipsa loquitur
successive sentences :: n. in criminal law, the imposition of the penalty ... uld be 15 years. See also: sentence
three strikes, you're out :: n. recent (beginning 1994) legislation enacted in ... ich involve small amounts of money.
crime of passion :: n. a defendant's excuse for committing a crime due ... dant. See also: manslaughter murder
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
inquest :: n. 1) an investigation and/or a hearing held by th ... surrogate judge. See also: coroner
special circumstances :: n. in criminal cases, particularly homicides, acti ... urant. See also: capital punishment
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
suicide :: n. the intentional killing of oneself. Ironically, ... e manslaughter second degree murder
murder :: n. the killing of a human being by a sane person, ... premeditation second degree murder
misadventure :: n. a death due to unintentional accident without a ... me. See also: homicide manslaughter
intent :: n. mental desire and will to act in a particular w ... ess homicide or other lesser crime.
manslaughter :: n. the unlawful killing of another person without ... laughter. See also: homicide murder
deceased :: 1) adj. dead. 2) n. the person who has died, as us ... ore genteel word is the "decedent."
ostensible agent :: n. a person who has been given the appearance of b ... rent authority ostensible authority
element :: n. 1) an essential requirement to a cause of actio ... of action crime general plan zoning
felonious :: adj. referring to an act done with criminal intent ... is an attack meant to do real harm.
fighting words :: n. words intentionally directed toward another per ... he basis for a lawsuit for assault.
domestic violence :: n. the continuing crime and problem of the physica ... ravated assault assault and battery
deadly weapon :: n. any weapon which can kill. This includes not on ... See also: assault dangerous weapon
back-to-back life sentences :: n. slang for consecutive life terms imposed by a j ... ther 25 years for a parole hearing.
battery :: n. the actual intentional striking of someone, wit ... e also: assault assault and battery
burglary :: n. the crime of breaking and entering into a struc ... le. See also: breaking and entering
guilty :: adj. having been convicted of a crime or having ad ... on of guilt cop a plea plea bargain
instrument :: n. 1) a written legal document such as a contract, ... in an assault (a blunt instrument).
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
accomplice :: n. someone who assists in the commission of a crim ... cipal criminal. See also: accessory
riot :: n. 1) technically a turbulent and violent disturba ... to unlawful possession of firearms.
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
misdemeanor :: n. a lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or coun ... tion are felonies. See also: felony
maim :: v. to inflict a serious bodily injury, including m ... to a prison term. See also: mayhem
malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander
mayhem :: 1) n. the criminal act of disabling, disfiguring o ... so: aggravated assault assault maim
second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder