Legal Definitions - Doe, John

John Doe is a generic, fictitious name used in legal proceedings or documents when the true identity of a person is unknown, needs to be kept confidential, or is not yet determined. It serves as a placeholder, most commonly for an unknown male individual. The female equivalent is Jane Doe.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of "John Doe":

• Example 1: Lawsuit Against an Unknown Driver

  Imagine a situation where a pedestrian is hit by a car, and the driver immediately flees the scene. The pedestrian sustains injuries and wants to sue for damages, but they don't know who the driver was. In this case, the lawsuit might initially be filed against "John Doe" as the defendant. This allows the legal process to begin while law enforcement and the plaintiff's legal team work to identify the actual driver. Once the driver is identified, the legal documents would be amended to reflect their true name.

• Example 2: Unidentified Deceased Person

  When a body is discovered and authorities are unable to immediately determine the person's identity, that individual is often referred to as "John Doe" (or "Jane Doe" if female) in police reports, medical examiner files, and news accounts. This placeholder name is used until the person can be positively identified through fingerprints, dental records, DNA, or other means. For instance, a local news report might state, "Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying a John Doe found near the riverbank last Tuesday."

• Example 3: Protecting a Confidential Informant's Identity

  In certain legal contexts, particularly in criminal investigations or civil cases involving sensitive information, a person's identity might need to be shielded from the public or even from other parties in the case. For instance, a court might issue an order allowing a confidential informant or a witness who fears retaliation to be referred to as "John Doe" in court filings or during testimony. This protects their safety and privacy while still allowing their information or testimony to be considered by the court, with their true identity known only to the judge and perhaps a limited number of legal personnel.