general title
A statute’s name that broadly and comprehensively identifies the subject matter addressed by the legislature. Cf. restrictive title.
Search Results for: LEGISLATURE
school district
A political subdivision of a state, created by the legislature and invested with local powers of self-government, to build, maintain, fund, and support the public schools within its territory and to otherwise assist the state in administering its educational responsibilities. [Cases: Schools 21. C.J.S. Schools and School Districts §§ 14–17, 21.]
court of assistants
Court of Assistants. Hist. A colonial body organized in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 to act as a legislature and court for the colony. Cf. GENERAL COURT . “The court of assistants, made up of governor, deputy governor, and magistrates, heard appeals from lower courts, and took original jurisdiction in certain cases — for example,
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law arbitrary
law arbitrary. A law not found in the nature of things, but imposed by the legislature’s mere will; a bill not immutable.
ombudsman
ombudsman (om-b[schwa]dz-m[schwa]n). 1. An official appointed to receive, investigate, and report on private citizens’ complaints about the government. 2. A similar appointee in a nongovernmental organization (such as a company or university). — Often shortened to ombuds. “An ombudsman serves as an alternative to the adversary system for resolving disputes, especially between citizens and government
miscegenation
miscegenation (mi-sej-[schwa]-nay-sh[schwa]n). A marriage between persons of different races, formerly considered illegal in some jurisdictions. • In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court held that laws banning interracial marriages are unconstitutional. Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1, 87 S.Ct. 1817 (1967). But for years, such laws technically remained on the books in some states. The last
legislative intent
legislative intent. The design or plan that the legislature had at the time of enacting a statute. — Also termed intention of the legislature; intent of the legislature; congressional intent; parliamentary intent. [Cases: Statutes 181(1). C.J.S. Statutes § 315.] “The intention of the legislature is a common but very slippery phrase, which, popularly understood, may
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oath or affirmation clause
Oath or Affirmation Clause. The clause of the U.S. Constitution requiring members of Congress and the state legislatures, and all members of the executive or judicial branches — state or local — to pledge by oath or affirmation to support the Constitution. U.S. Const. art. VI, cl. 3. [Cases: Officers and Public Employees 36(1). C.J.S.
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restrictive title
A statute’s name that narrowly identifies the particular subject matter addressed by the legislature. Cf. general title.
police power
police power. 1. The inherent and plenary power of a sovereign to make all laws necessary and proper to preserve the public security, order, health, morality, and justice. • It is a fundamental power essential to government, and it cannot be surrendered by the legislature or irrevocably transferred away from government. [Cases: Constitutional Law 81.