Legal Glossary
- IGNORANCE OF THE LAW
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Failure to know the existence of a law is not a defense
- ILLEGAL
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Not permissible by law; an illegal act is punishable
- ILLUSORY PROMISE
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A commitment which cannot be legally enforced for the failure to create a valid contract
- IMMATERIAL
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Not important enough to be relevant; so insignificant that it would not affect the outcome
- IMMIGRATION
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Persons relocating to a foreign country with the intent of permanently residing
- IMMUNITY
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Relief granted from duty, punishment or compelled testimony
- IMPACT RULE
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Law that may require physical contact precipitating emotional distress prior to an award of damages
- IMPANELING
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Jury selection and swearing-in; necessary before double jeopardy is triggered
- IMPEACH
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To call into question the truthfulness of a witness; a charge of wrongdoing against a public official in office
- IMPERTINENT MATTER
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Facts not relevant to the issue
- IMPLEADER
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A third party who was not originally included is joined to a lawsuit upon motion of a party alleging that this new party is essential to a full resolution of all issues in the case
- IMPLIED
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Terms which are suggested or inferred; compare to EXPRESS
- IMPLIED CONSENT
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Legal theory for creation of a contract where no formal contract exists based on the conduct of the parties in dealing with each other
- IMPLIED CONTRACT
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Legal theory for creation of a contract where no formal contract exists based on the conduct of the parties in dealing with each other
- IMPLIED WARRANTY
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A warranty which is implied
- IMPOSSIBILITY
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When it is not feasible or legal to perform an act or a contract; can be offered as a defense
- IN CAMERA
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Confidential court review of sealed records to determine if the records should be made public or otherwise admitted into evidence
- INALIENABLE RIGHTS
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Fundamental rights which cannot be taken away
- INCAPACITY
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Inability to perform for reasons of law or physical or mental defect
- INCOMPETENCY
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Inability to perform for reasons of law (e.g. dut to minority status) or physical or mental defect
- INCORPORATE
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To legally organize a business as a corporation
- INCRIMINATE
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To implicate oneself or another in a crime
- INDEMNIFY
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Paying the legal obligation of another usually pursuant to a contract
- INJUNCTION
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Court order prohibiting or requiring the doing of an act
- INSANITY
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Finding that a defendant does not know right from wrong due to a serious mental condition
- INTENT
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A state of mind in which a person knows or expects certain consequences of his or her actions; an element that is required to prove certain crimes or liabilities
- INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
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Deliberately causing emotional harm to a victim
- INTERROGATORIES
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A pretrial method of discovery in civil cases posing written questions to an opposing party in a case for which the opposing party is required to respond