Where the meaning of the literal words in a document are clear, unambiguous and unchallengeable then such meaning and words must be accepted. … [Read more...] about PLAIN MEANING RULE
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PLAZA
A Spanish word, meaning a public square in a city or town. Sachs v. Towauda, 79 111. App. 441. … [Read more...] about PLAZA
PLAIN STATEMENT
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
PLEA
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
PLAIN VIEW DOCTRINE
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