1. Criminal law. The process of seeking to improve a criminal’s character and outlook so that he or she can function in society without committing other crimes (rehabilitation is a traditional theory of criminal punishment, along with deterrence and retribution). Cf. DETERRENCE; RETRIBUTION(1). [Cases: Sentencing and Punishment 45. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 1458, 1472, 1479, 1492–1495, 1530.]
2. Evidence. The restoration of a witness’s credibility after the witness has been impeached (the inconsistencies were explained away during the prosecution’s rehabilitation of the witness). [Cases: Witnesses 410–416. C.J.S. Witnesses §§ 776–787.]
3. Bankruptcy. The process of reorganizing a debtor’s financial affairs — under Chapter 11, 12, or 13 of the Bankruptcy Code — so that the debtor may continue to exist as a financial entity, with creditors satisfying their claims from the debtor’s future earnings (the corporation’s rehabilitation was successful). — Also termed debtor rehabilitation. Cf. LIQUIDATION(4). [Cases: Bankruptcy 3501, 3671, 3701. C.J.S. Bankruptcy §§ 368, 416, 433.] — rehabilitative, adj. — rehabilitate, vb.
