Legal Definitions - errant

Errant describes something that deviates from what is correct, proper, or expected. It implies a mistake, an error, or a departure from an established standard or course of conduct.

• Example 1: Judicial Decision

  A higher court overturns a lower court's judgment because the presiding judge made an errant interpretation of a specific statute, leading to an incorrect application of the law to the facts of the case.

  Explanation: The judge's interpretation was errant because it strayed from the legally correct understanding of the statute, resulting in a flawed decision that needed correction.

• Example 2: Procedural Conduct

  During a police investigation, an officer conducts a search without obtaining a proper warrant, believing they had probable cause. This action is later deemed an errant procedural step by the court, leading to the exclusion of evidence.

  Explanation: The officer's conduct was errant because it deviated from the legally required procedure for conducting searches, which mandates a warrant in most circumstances, thus making the search improper.

• Example 3: Data Entry

  A paralegal accidentally enters an incorrect date into a legal filing system for a critical deadline, causing the firm to miss the submission window for an important document.

  Explanation: The paralegal's data entry was errant because it contained an error, straying from the correct and expected information, which had significant legal consequences.