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Most Popular Legal Definitions
unfair competition
Wrongful and/or fraudulent business methods to
gain and unfair advantage.
intimidate
to intentionally cause another to fear harm by some type of verbal or physical
means
supremacy clause
found in article VI section 2 of the US Constitution, it is the premise for the
federal government--and thus federal law--to act as the "supreme law of the
land" and maintain power over the collective states
arson
felony crime of intentionally burning a house or other building; the
perpetrators range from mentally ill pyromaniacs to store owners just hoping to
get insurance proceeds.
unalienable
something that is unchangeable or not otherwise transferable; intrinsic; as in
unalienable rights
beyond a reasonable doubt
part of jury's instructions in all criminal
trials; in which the jurors are told that they can only find the defendant
guilty if they are convinced "beyond a reasonable doubt" of his or her guilt;
sometimes referred to as "to a moral certainty," the phrase is fraught with
uncertainty as to meaning, however; criminal justice experts have concluded that
it would mean being 99% sure; in civil court to find someone liable they would
have to only take greater than 50% fault
capital punishment
execution for a capital offense
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.
bar association
organization of lawyers; there are two types, one of which is official and
usually called an "integrated bar," which is qualified by the particular state's
highest court to establish rules for admission and conduct; there are also local
bar associations by city or county which are unofficial and voluntary, but do
conduct the business of attorneys, such as settling fee disputes and working
with the local courts on rules; there is also the American Bar Association, a
national voluntary organization of attorneys
assumption
act of taking over the liability for a debt as part of a payment for property
which secures that debt