Posts by admin

defendant’s gain.The amount of money or the value of property that a criminal defendant has obtained by committing a crime. • Some states, such as New York, consider the defendant’s gain when assessing a criminal fine or ordering restitution. [Blacks Law 8th]

defendant score.A number taken from an established scale, indicating the relative seriousness of the defendant’s criminal history. Cf. CRIME SCORE. [Blacks Law 8th]

defendant in error.Archaic. In a case on appeal, the prevailing party in the court below. See APPELLEE; RESPONDENT(1). [Blacks Law 8th]

defendant  (di-fen-d<<schwa>>nt).  A  person  sued  in  a  civil  proceeding  or  accused  in  a criminal proceeding. — Abbr. D. Cf. PLAINTIFF. John Doe defendant.An anonymous defendant labeled “John Doe” because the plaintiff does not,  at  the  time  of  filing  suit,  know  the  person’s  name.  •  John  Doe  defendants  are  common  in several situations, such as police-brutality…

defend,vb.1. To deny, contest, or oppose (an allegation or claim) <the corporation vigorously defended against the shareholder’s lawsuit>.2. To represent (someone) as an attorney <the accused retained a well-known lawyer to defend him>[Blacks Law 8th].

defence. See DEFENSE. [Blacks Law 8th]

defectus  sanguinis  (di-fek-t<<schwa>>s  sang-gwi-nis).  [Latin  “defect  of  blood”]  Hist.  An failure of issue, often resulting in an escheat. See ESCHEAT. [Blacks Law 8th]

defectus  (di-fek-t<<schwa>>s),  n.[fr.  Latin  deficere  “to  be  deficient”]  Hist.  A  defect;  a deficiency. [Blacks Law 8th]

defect  of  substance.An  imperfection  in  the  substantive  part  of  a  legal  document,  as  by omitting an essential term. Cf. DEFECT OF FORM. [Blacks Law 8th]

defect of reason.Archaic. 1. Mental illness. 2. Mental retardation. [Blacks Law 8th]