Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A challenge is when someone questions whether a person is qualified for a task or if something is legal. In a court case, a challenge can also be when a party asks to dismiss a potential juror or an entire jury panel. There are different types of challenges, such as challenge for cause, challenge to the array, and peremptory challenge.
Challenge has two main meanings in the legal context:
For example, if a person is accused of a crime and their lawyer believes that a potential juror is biased against their client, they may make a challenge for cause to have that juror dismissed. Alternatively, a lawyer may use a peremptory challenge to dismiss a juror without giving a reason.
Another example of a challenge could be a challenge to the legality of a new law that has been passed. A group may challenge the law in court, arguing that it violates the constitution or other laws.
These examples illustrate how a challenge can be used to express doubt or disagreement in a legal context.