Legal Definitions - Doe, Jane

Jane Doe is a placeholder name used in legal and official contexts to refer to an unknown, unnamed, or unidentified female individual. It serves as a temporary label when a person's true identity is not yet known, is being intentionally withheld, or needs to be protected for privacy or safety reasons. The male equivalent is John Doe.

Here are some examples of how "Jane Doe" might be used:

• Civil Lawsuit Against an Unknown Party: Imagine a situation where a company discovers that a former female employee has been sharing confidential trade secrets online, but they only know her screen name, not her real identity. To initiate legal action, the company might file a lawsuit against "Jane Doe" as the defendant. The court would then allow the company to use legal tools, like subpoenas, to try and uncover the individual's true name from the internet service provider or website host. Once identified, the lawsuit would be amended to reflect her actual name.

• Unidentified Deceased Person: When law enforcement or medical examiners discover the body of a woman who has no identification on her, and her identity cannot be immediately determined through fingerprints, dental records, or other means, she is often referred to as "Jane Doe." This designation is used in official reports, investigations, and any subsequent legal proceedings until her true identity is established and her next of kin can be notified.

• Protecting a Victim's Identity in Court: In sensitive legal cases, such as those involving sexual assault, child abuse, or domestic violence, a court may allow a female victim to proceed with a lawsuit or criminal complaint using the pseudonym "Jane Doe." This measure is taken to protect the victim's privacy, prevent public exposure, and shield them from potential harassment or retaliation, especially when their safety or well-being could be jeopardized by the public disclosure of their identity.