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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