bound, adj. 1. Constrained by a contractual or other obligation (they are bound to make the payments by the first of each month). 2. (Of a court) constrained to follow a precedent (bound by a Supreme Court decision). bound, n. (usu. pl.) 1. BOUNDARY (metes and bounds). 2. A limitation or restriction on action (within […]
accomplice ([schwa]-kom-plis). 1. A person who is in any way involved with another in the commission of a crime, whether as a principal in the first or second degree or as an accessory. • Although the definition includes an accessory before the fact, not all authorities treat this term as including an accessory after the
Patent Act of 1836. Hist. The U.S. statute that charged the Patent Office with examining patent applications for novelty and utility, and that first required claims in patent applications.
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right of assembly. The constitutional right — guaranteed by the First Amendment — of the people to gather peacefully for public expression of religion, politics, or grievances. — Also termed freedom of assembly; right to assemble. Cf. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION; unlawful assembly under ASSEMBLY. [Cases: Constitutional Law 91. C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 461–462, 466, 612–629.]
The real and personal property that a person possesses at the time of death and that passes to the heirs or testamentary beneficiaries. [Cases: Executors and Administrators 38–73. C.J.S. Executors and Administrators §§ 2, 121–127, 129–162.]
A crime that is divided into various degrees of severity with corresponding levels of punishment, such as murder (first-degree and second-degree) or assault (simple and aggravated). See DEGREE(2). [Cases: Criminal Law 28. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 9, 13.]
equitable tolling. 1. The doctrine that the statute of limitations will not bar a claim if the plaintiff, despite diligent efforts, did not discover the injury until after the limitations period had expired. • Equitable tolling does not require misconduct by the defendant. [Cases: Limitation of Actions 104. 5. C.J.S. Limitations of Actions §§ 85–86,
A court that hears cases against nonviolent adults and juveniles, who are often first-time offenders and who are usu. charged with possession of a controlled substance or with committing a minor drug-related crime. • Drug courts focus on treatment rather than on incarceration.
consummation of marriage. Family law. The first postmarital act of sexual intercourse between a husband and wife. • Under canon law, a refusal to consummate the marriage may be grounds for an annulment or for divorce. But this is not so at common law or under modern state law.
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guild. 1. A group of persons sharing a common vocation who unite to regulate the affairs of their trade in order to protect and promote their common vocation; specif., a voluntary society or fraternity of persons employed in the same trade or craft, formed for the mutual benefit and protection of its members, who pay