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is one that may be readily understood, not merely by lawyers, but by all who are sufficiently acquainted with the language in which it is written. Mann v. More wood, 5 Sandf. (N. Y,) 557, 504. … [Read more...] about PLAIN STATEMENT

In old English law. A suit or action. Thus, the power to "hold pleas" is the power to take cognizance of actions or suits; so "common pleas" are actions or suits between private persons. And this meaning of the word still appears in the modern declarations, where it is stated, e.g., that the defendant "has been summoned to answer the plaintiff in a plea of debt." In common law … [Read more...] about PLEA

A rule in criminal law that permits a law enforcement officer to inspect and seize evidence of a crime that is in the plain sight of the officer without first obtaining a search warrant, e.g. when arresting a suspect in his office, the officer sees a bag of marijuana on his work desk … [Read more...] about PLAIN VIEW DOCTRINE

An agreement as a result of negotiation between the prosecution and defense (at times, also the judge) which settles a criminal case, usually in exchange for a more lenient punishment. Typically the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser crime or for fewer charges than originally charged, in exchange for a more lenient punishment than the defendant would get if convicted at … [Read more...] about PLEA BARGAIN

Eng. law. The exhibiting of any action, real or personal, in writing; the party making his plaint is called the plaintiff. In English practice. A private memorial tendered In open court to the judge, wherein the party injured sets forth his cause of action. A proceeding in Inferior courts by which an action is com menced without original writ. 3 Bl. Comm. 373. This mode of … [Read more...] about PLAINT