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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
deodand
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A quick definition of deodand:
A deodand is something, like an animal or object, that was involved in an accident or caused harm to someone and was therefore given to the Crown as punishment. This practice was stopped in 1846. For example, if a person was killed by a falling tree, the tree would be considered a deodand and given to the Crown. However, this practice was not always fair, as even innocent objects could be considered deodands.
A more thorough explanation:
A deodand is something, such as an animal or object, that has caused harm or death and must be forfeited to the Crown. This practice was abolished in 1846.
For example, if a drunken carter was crushed beneath the wheels of his cart, the cart, the cask of wine that was in it, and the oxen that were drawing it would all be considered deodands. In another example, if a stack of timber fell on a child, the timber would be declared a deodand and forfeited to the Crown.
These examples illustrate how in the past, anything that was involved in an accident resulting in harm or death was considered guilty and forfeited to the Crown as a deodand, regardless of whether or not it was actually at fault.