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Most Popular Legal Definitions
citation
1) A notice to appear in court due to a probable commission of a minor crime
such as a traffic violation, drinking liquor in a park where prohibited, letting
a dog loose without a leash, and in some states for possession of a small amount
of marijuana. Failure to appear can result in a warrant for the citee's arrest.
2) The act of referring to (citing) a statute, precedent-setting case or legal
textbook, in a brief or argument in court, called "citation of authority." 4)
the section of the statute or the name of the case as well as the volume number,
the report series and the page number of a case referred to in a brief, points
and authorities, or other legal argument.
bail bond
bond provided by an insurance company through a bail bondsman acting as agent
for the company, to secure the release from jail of an accused defendant pending
trial
at will employment
provision found in many employment contracts
which suggest the employees works at the will of the employer; employers insert
in order to avoid claims of termination in breach of contract, breach of the
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or discrimination.
next of kin
The nearest blood relative of a deceased.
first amendment
The amendment to the U.S. Constitution which sets out freedom of speech, right
to petition, free practice of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the
press; continues to be the subject of court cases on both the State and Federal
level
criminal negligence
reckless disregard for the lives or safety of
other persons
superseding cause
the same as in "intervening cause" or "supervening cause," which occurs after
the initial act leading to an accident and substantially causes the
accident.
sprinkling trust
Discretion given to a trustee to distribute
income from a trust fund disproportionately between beneficiaries.
best evidence rule
legal doctrine that an original piece of evidence--particularly a document--is
superior to a copy; if the original is available, a copy will not be allowed as
evidence in a trial
ex patriate
A person who has abandoned his or her country of
origin and citizenship and has become a subject or citizen of another
country