shield law. 1. A statute that affords journalists the privilege not to reveal confidential sources. See journalist’s privilege under PRIVILEGE(3). [Cases: Witnesses 196. 1. C.J.S. Witnesses § 358.] “More than half of the states have ‘shield laws’ creating ‘reporters’ privileges’ that are sometimes broader than the First Amendment version of that privilege.” David A. Anderson, […]
educational institution. 1. A school, seminary, college, university, or other educational facility, though not necessarily a chartered institution. [Cases: Schools 11. C.J.S. Schools and School Districts §§ 4, 74, 76, 396–398.] 2. As used in a zoning ordinance, all buildings and grounds necessary to accomplish the full scope of educational instruction, including those things essential
educational institution Read More »
sustain, vb. 1. To support or maintain, esp. over a long period (enough oxygen to sustain life). 2. To nourish and encourage; lend strength to (she helped sustain the criminal enterprise). 3. To undergo; suffer (Charles sustained third-degree burns). 4. (Of a court) to uphold or rule in favor of (objection sustained). 5. To substantiate
The complete destruction of insured property so that nothing of value remains and the subject matter no longer exists in its original form. • Generally, a loss is total if, after the damage occurs, no substantial remnant remains standing that a reasonably prudent uninsured owner, desiring to rebuild, would use as a basis to restore
most-significant-relationship test. Conflict of laws. The doctrine that, to determine the state law to apply to a dispute, the court should determine which state has the most substantial connection to the occurrence and the parties. • For example, in a tort case, the court should consider where the injury occurred, where the conduct that caused
most significant relationship test Read More »
judgment-proof, adj. (Of an actual or potential judgment debtor) unable to satisfy a judgment for money damages because the person has no property, does not own enough property within the court’s jurisdiction to satisfy the judgment, or claims the benefit of statutorily exempt property. — Also termed execution-proof.
jactus lapilli (jak-t[schwa]s l[schwa]-pil-I). [Latin “the throwing down of a stone”] Roman law. A landowner’s throwing of a small stone onto a neighbor’s land to symbolically protest construction that could threaten the thrower’s interest. Cf. NOVI OPERIS NUNTIATIO.
A small quantity of evidence; esp., the small amount of evidence sufficient to remove a presumption from a case or for a rational fact-finder to conclude that something essential has not been established beyond a reasonable doubt. See SLIGHT-EVIDENCE RULE.
substance. 1. The essence of something; the essential quality of something, as opposed to its mere form (matter of substance). 2. Any matter, esp. an addictive drug (illegal substance) (abuse of a substance).
A crime that has as an element the use, attempted use, threatened use, or substantial risk of use of physical force against the person or property of another. 18 USCA § 16; USSG § 2E1.3. — Also termed crime of violence.