Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A dead letter is something that used to be important or useful, but is no longer used or enforced. It can also refer to a piece of mail that can't be delivered because the addresses are wrong.
Definition: Dead letter refers to two different things:
Example 1: The law requiring people to carry a lantern when walking at night is a dead letter, as it is no longer enforced.
Example 2: The post office received a dead letter because the address on the envelope was illegible and there was no return address.
The examples illustrate the two different meanings of dead letter. In example 1, dead letter refers to a law that is no longer enforced. In example 2, it refers to a piece of mail that cannot be delivered or returned due to incorrect addresses.