Your Free Online Legal Dictionary • Featuring Black’s Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed.

Category: A

At Fault

Regarding auto insurance, a driver whose conduct is held legally responsible for causing an accident.

Anti-Theft Device

A range of technologies intended to deter auto theft, such as a car alarm. Equipping vehicles with anti-theft devices often lead to a discount on insurance premiums.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

The onboard system controlled by a vehicle’s computer that assists the manual braking system, helping a driver safely stop or slow a vehicle without skidding or losing control.

Accident Forgiveness

A form of optional auto insurance coverage wherein the insurer waves its right to increase the rate of the policyholder at fault of an accident.

ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT

This an arrest that is carried out by a peace officer or a private citizen where there is certainty or absolute certainty that a particular crime has been committed.

ALTERNATIVE WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Latin. the court order that commands a person against whom it has been issued to do something one else show why he should not be forced to do so. See mandamus.

ANTECEDENT DEBT

a previously contracted debt and one that was once binding but has since become unenforceable.

ARTIFICE

This term applies to any trick or a cunning device that is used.

AGITATOR

the person who stirs up or incites a situation, especially a situation that is of discontent.

ADDED DAMAGES

Damages that are added on to the amount that is actually due or damages that are added as a punishment for the defendant. Added damages is sometimes called smart money.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

These are any modifications made to the Constitution of the United States of America that must be ratified first by three quarters of the states for it to become an amendment and

AD DAMNUM CLAUSE

Latin. The clause in a plaintiff’s suit that states the amount of damages that are being claimed.

ACQUIRE

The action of buying or gaining the possession of property.

ANESTHESIA CONSENT FOR

the signed and written consent that is given to the anaesthetist that allows him to render anaesthetic given by the patient, spouse, parent or guardian.

ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO ROB

This term is used to describe an attack that causes bodily injury that is accompanied by the intention of committing a robbery.

ALIENIST

This term applies to psychiatrists. In all legal matters, an alienist is often called upon to testify to the defendant’s mental condition.

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION

a voluntary and non-profit organisation that helps to maintain the citizen’s civil rights who have been threatened or may be threatened.

AGGRAVATION OF DISABILITY

the injury that is superimposed on an original injury that is often encountered in a worker’s compensation disability.

ASPERSIONS

These are the damaging criticisms that imply that a person is not honourable.

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