Law Dictionary Definitions

fatuum judicium (fach-oo-<<schwa>>m joo-dish-ee-<<schwa>>m). [Latin] A foolish judgment or verdict.[Blacks Law 8th]

Fatico hearing (fat-<<schwa>>-koh).Criminal procedure. A sentencing hearing at which the prosecution and the defense may present evidence about what the defendant’s sentence should be. United States v. Fatico, 603 F.2d 1053 (2d Cir. 1979). [Cases: Sentencing and Punishment 325. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 1480, 1492–1493, 1495, 1779.][Blacks Law 8th]

fatherly power.See patria potestas under POTESTAS.[Blacks Law 8th]

foster father.See foster parent under PARENT. genetic father.See biological father. godfather. See GODPARENT. intentional father.See intentional parent under PARENT. legal father.The man recognized by law as the male parent of a child. • A man is the legal father of a child if he was married to the child’s natural mother when the child was…

father. A male parent. See PARENT. [Cases: Parent and Child 1. C.J.S. Parent and Child §§ 1–12, 201.] acknowledged father.The admitted biological father of a child born to unmarried parents. See ACKNOWLEDGMENT(1). adoptive father.See adoptive parent under PARENT. biological father.The man whose sperm impregnated the child’s biological mother. — Also termed natural father; birth father;…

fatal variance.See VARIANCE(1).[Blacks Law 8th]

fatal error.See ERROR(2).[Blacks Law 8th]

fatal defect.See DEFECT.[Blacks Law 8th]

fatal,adj.1. Of or relating to death; producing death <the decision had fatal consequences fatal blow>.2. Providing grounds for legal invalidity <a fatal defect in the contract>.[Blacks Law 8th]

fast-tracking,n. A court’s method of accelerating the disposition of cases in an effort to clear its docket. • For example, a judge might order that all discovery must be finished within 90 days and that trial is set for 30 days later. See ROCKET DOCKET. — fast-track,vb.[Blacks Law 8th]