Legal Definitions - enlarge

The term enlarge in a legal context carries two primary meanings:

• To expand or extend: This refers to increasing the size, scope, or duration of something.

  • Example 1 (Duration): A defense attorney might request the court to enlarge the deadline for filing a critical motion, granting their client an additional week to gather necessary evidence.

    Explanation: In this scenario, "enlarge" means to extend the permitted timeframe for a legal action.

  • Example 2 (Scope): If new information comes to light, a regulatory agency might decide to enlarge the scope of its investigation into a company's practices, moving beyond initial financial concerns to also examine environmental compliance.

    Explanation: Here, "enlarge" signifies broadening the boundaries or subject matter of a legal inquiry.

• To release from custody or imprisonment: This refers to setting a person free from legal detention.

  • Example 1 (Custody): Following a bond hearing, the magistrate decided to enlarge the arrested individual on a reasonable bail amount, allowing them to be released from jail while awaiting trial.

    Explanation: This illustrates "enlarge" as the act of releasing someone from immediate legal custody, typically under specific conditions.

  • Example 2 (Imprisonment): An appeals court, finding a significant error in the original trial, might rule to enlarge a prisoner, ordering their immediate release from a correctional facility.

    Explanation: In this context, "enlarge" means to free a person from incarceration due to a legal determination.