A Latin term meaning literally 'from [the] stronger'. Translated into English and used in the particular context of legal writing, the term often means 'from [the] stronger [argument]'. If a particular fact is true, then one can infer that a...
criminal law and procedure
A fortiori
Definition
A priori
Definition
A Latin term meaning "from what comes before." In legal arguments, a priori generally means that a particular idea is taken as a given.
Ab initio
Definition
A Latin term meaning "from the beginning." Used to indicate that some fact existed from the start of a relevant time period.
Abduction
Definition
Taking a person away by means of persuasion, fraud, or force. Some jurisdictions also require that the abductee, the person abducted, be a child or that that the abductor intend to marry or defile the abductee or subject him or her to...
Abet
Definition
To criminally assist another person in the commission of a crime including in planning a crime, escaping from a crime, or in the actual commission of the crime.
Illustrative caselawSee, e.g. Gonzales v. Duenas-Alvarez, 549 U.S. 183 (...
Abscond
Definition
Leaving a jurisdiction secretly or suddenly, e.g. to avoid service of process, arrest, or prosecution; or leaving with another person's money or property.
Illustrative caselawSee, e.g. Atwater v. City of Lago Vista, 532 U.S. 318 (2001...
Absolute Disparity
Definition
A calculation used to analyze a claim that a jury pool did not represent a fair cross-section of the community. Calculated by subtracting the percentage of a group in the jury pool from the percentage of that group in the general population...
Abuse
Definition
1) Abuse, generally: physically, sexually, or mentally injuring a person.
2) Child abuse: physically, sexually, or mentally injuring a child either with intent or through neglect.
3) Substance abuse: excessively using or misusing...
Abuse Excuse
Definition
A self-defense claim that a defendant is incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong or of controlling his or her impulses as a result of being subjected to prolonged physical or mental abuse, i.e. as a result of, inter alia, battered...