The Law Dictionary

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INSTRUMENT Definition & Legal Meaning

Definition & Citations:

A written document; a formal or legal document in writing, such as a contract, deed, will, bond, or lease. State v. Phillips, 157 Ind. 4S1, 62 N. E. 12; Cardenas v. Miller, 108 Cal. 250, 39 Pac. 783, 49 Am. St Rep. 84; Benson v. McMahon, 127 U. S. 457, 8 Sup. Ct 1240, 32 L. Ed. 234; Abbott T. Campbell, 60 Neb. 371, 95 N. W. 592. In the law of evidence. Anything which may be presented as evidence to the senses of the adjudicating tribunal. The term “instruments of evidence” includes not merely documents, but witnesses and living things which may be presented for inspection. 1 Whart Ev.

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