Legal Definitions - decide

In legal terms, to decide means to make a final and authoritative determination or judgment on a specific legal question, dispute, or issue after carefully considering all relevant facts, evidence, and applicable laws. It signifies reaching a conclusive resolution or ruling that settles the matter.

• Example 1: After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, and reviewing all presented evidence, the judge had to decide whether the defendant's constitutional rights were violated during the arrest. Her ruling would determine if certain evidence could be used in the trial.

  Explanation: Here, the judge is making a definitive legal determination on a specific issue (the legality of the arrest and evidence) that will have significant consequences for the case. This act of making a final ruling is what it means to "decide" in this context.

• Example 2: A jury in a personal injury lawsuit spent several days deliberating before they could decide if the defendant was negligent and, if so, what amount of damages should be awarded to the plaintiff for their injuries.

  Explanation: The jury's role is to weigh the evidence and testimony to reach a final verdict on the questions of liability and compensation. Their collective agreement on these matters constitutes their decision, resolving the core issues of the lawsuit.

• Example 3: During an arbitration hearing for a commercial contract dispute, the appointed arbitrator had to decide which party was in breach of the agreement and what remedies, if any, were appropriate. Both companies had agreed to abide by the arbitrator's final ruling.

  Explanation: The arbitrator, acting as a neutral third party, is tasked with evaluating the contractual terms and presented facts to make a binding determination on the dispute. This definitive judgment on the breach and remedies is the act of deciding the legal issue between the parties.