Law Dictionary Definitions

rational doubt.See REASONABLE DOUBT. [Blacks Law 8th]

rational-choice theory.The theory that criminals engage in criminal activity when they believe that the potential benefits outweigh the risks of committing the crime. Cf. CONTROL THEORY; ROUTINE-ACTIVITIES THEORY; STRAIN THEORY . [Blacks Law 8th]

rational-basis test.Constitutional law. The criterion for judicial analysis of a statute that does not implicate a fundamental right or a suspect or quasi-suspect classification under the Due Process or Equal Protection Clause, whereby the court will uphold a law if it bears a reasonable relationship to the attainment of a legitimate governmental objective. • Rational…

rationabili parte bonorum.See DE RATIONABILI PARTE BONORUM. [Blacks Law 8th]

rationabilibus divisis.See DE RATIONABILIBUS DIVISIS. [Blacks Law 8th]

  rationabile estoverium (rash-[ee]-<<schwa>>-nay-b<<schwa>>-lee es-t<<schwa>>-veer-ee-<<schwa>>m), n.[Law Latin “reasonable necessaries”] Hist. Alimony. [Blacks Law 8th]

ratio legis (ray-shee-oh lee-j<<schwa>>s), n.[Latin] The reason or purpose for making a law <the Senator argued that the rapid spread of violent crime was a compelling ratio legis for the gun-control statute>. — Also termed ratio juris. [Blacks Law 8th]

ratio decidendi (ray-shee-oh des-<<schwa>>-den-dI), n.[Latin “the reason for deciding”] 1. The principle or rule of law on which a court’s decision is founded <many poorly written judicial opinions do not contain a clearly ascertainable ratio decidendi>.2. The rule of law on which a later court thinks that a previous court founded its decision; a general…

ratiocination (rash-ee-os-<<schwa>>-nay-sh<<schwa>>n), n. The process or an act of reasoning. — ratiocinative (rash-ee-os-<<schwa>>-nay-tiv), adj. — ratiocinate (rash-ee-os-<<schwa>>-nayt), vb. [Blacks Law 8th]

rating. 1.Marine insurance. The determination of a vessel’s state or condition as a factor of insurability. 2.INSURANCE RATING. [Blacks Law 8th]