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Most Popular Legal Definitions

child custody

court's determination of which parent, relative, or other adult should have physical and/or legal control and responsibility for a minor (child) under 18

bankruptcy

federal system of statutes and courts which permits persons and businesses which are insolvent (debtors) or (in some cases) face potential insolvency, to place their financial affairs under the control of the bankruptcy court; the procedure is that when the debtor's debts exceed their assets or ability to pay, the debtor can file a petition with the bankruptcy court for voluntary bankruptcy or the debtor's unpaid creditors can file an "involuntary" petition to force the debtor into bankruptcy, although voluntary bankruptcy is far more common

abscond

1) To leave a jurisdiction to avoid being served with legal papers or being arrested. 2) A surprise departure with funds or goods that have been stolen.

resisting arrest

the knowing and physical resistance to a lawful arrest

variance

1) An exception to a zoning ordinance, authorized by the appropriate governmental body. 2) a difference between what the prosecution has charged and what it has proved. 3) a difference between what is alleged and what is proved in a civil complaint.

access

1) In real estate, it is the right and ability to get to the property. 2) In a marriage, a husband is said to have "access" to his wife if he can partake in sexual intercourse with her

lunatic

an individual of unsound mind.

admission to bail

order of a court in a criminal case allowing the defendant to be freed pending trial if he/she posts bail in an amount set by the court; although the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to bail, in extreme cases (murder, rape, or treason) the court is not required to admit a prisoner to bail of any amount due to the likelihood of the defendant fleeing the area or causing greater harm

second degree murder

a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an assault in which the death of the victim was a distinct possibility.

detention

the act of physically constraining of an individual