Civil forfeiture occurs when the government seizes property under suspicion of its involvement in illegal activity. Such a proceeding is conducted in rem, or against the property itself, rather than in personam, or against the owner of the property; by contrast, criminal forfeiture is an in personam proceeding. For this reason, civil forfeiture case names often appear strange, such as United States v. Eight Rhodesian Stone Statues,
A strip search is an inspection of a naked person. Strip searches are generally improper unless supported by probable cause.
The term “bivens actions” is generated from Bivens v.
The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution states that: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
The basis for admitting testimony or evidence into evidence. For example, an attorney must lay a foundation in order to admit an expert witness' testimony or a company's business records into evidence. Laying a foundation establishes the qualifications of a witness or the authenticity of evidence.
A fund or endowment established for a benevolent purpose, such as charity, religion, education, or research.
An objective rule that resolves a legal issue in a straightforward, predictable manner. A bright-line rule is easy to administer and produces certain, though, arguably, not always equitable results.
See, e.g. Montejo v. Louisiana, 129 S.Ct. 2079 (2009).
See year and a day.
See, e.g. Rogers v. Tennessee, 532 U.S. 451 (2001).
See attorney of record.
See hung jury.
See aid and abet.