The compensation or set-off of one crime against another; for example, in questions of divorce, where one party claims the divorce on the ground of adultery of his or her companion, the latter may show that the complainant has been guilty of the same offence, and having himself violated the contract, he cannot complain of its violation on the other side. This principle is … [Read more...] about COMPENSATIO CRIMINIS
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COMPILATION
A literary production, composed of the works of others, and arranged in some methodical manner. 2. When a compilation requires in its execution taste, learning, discrimination and intellectual labor, it is an object of copyright. … [Read more...] about COMPILATION
COMMUTE
To substitute one punishment in the place of another. For example, if a man be sentenced to be hung, the executive may, in some states, commute his punishment to that of imprisonment. … [Read more...] about COMMUTE
COMPARISON OF HANDWRITING
A comparison by the Juxtaposition of two writings, in order, by such comparison, to ascertain whether both were written by the same person. A method of proof resorted to where the genuineness of a written document is disputed; it consists in comparing the handwriting of the disputed paper with that of another instrument which is proved or admitted to be in the writing of the … [Read more...] about COMPARISON OF HANDWRITING
COMMUTE A SENTENCE
See commute or commutation. … [Read more...] about COMMUTE A SENTENCE