Legal Definitions - FACE

The term "FACE" can refer to an acronym for a specific law or to a noun describing the apparent content of a legal document.

• FACE (Acronym):

  FACE stands for the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. This is a federal law in the United States that prohibits individuals from using force, threats, or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with people seeking or providing reproductive health services, or to damage property at facilities providing such services. It also prohibits similar actions against places of worship.

  • Example 1: A group of protestors forms a human chain directly in front of the main entrance of a women's health clinic, physically blocking patients and staff from entering the building. This action could be a violation of the FACE Act because it involves physical obstruction designed to prevent access to reproductive health services.

    Explanation: The protestors' actions directly interfere with access to the clinic by physically blocking the entrance, which is precisely what the FACE Act aims to prevent.

  • Example 2: An individual repeatedly sends threatening emails and makes harassing phone calls to a doctor who performs abortions, explicitly stating they will harm the doctor if they continue their work. This could also fall under the FACE Act, as it involves threats of force intended to intimidate a provider of reproductive health services.

    Explanation: The threats are designed to intimidate a healthcare provider and interfere with their ability to offer services, which is a key prohibition under the FACE Act.

• Face (Noun):

  In a legal context, "face" refers to what is clearly and immediately apparent or stated within a document, record, or legal instrument, without needing further investigation or external evidence. It describes the explicit content or surface appearance of a legal writing.

  • Example 1: A written contract for the sale of a car clearly states the purchase price, the names of the buyer and seller, and the specific vehicle being sold. If all these essential terms are present and legible, the contract appears valid on its face.

    Explanation: The contract's validity is evident from simply reading its contents; no outside information is needed to confirm the basic agreement. What is written directly on the document makes it appear complete and enforceable.

  • Example 2: A court judgment is issued, but upon review, it clearly lacks the signature of the presiding judge, which is a mandatory requirement for its legal effect. In this situation, the judgment is considered defective on its face.

    Explanation: The absence of the required signature is an obvious flaw that can be seen by merely looking at the document itself, making its legal authority questionable without needing to consult external records or testimony.

  • Example 3: A plaintiff files a lawsuit claiming damages for an event that occurred 20 years ago, even though the statute of limitations (the legal deadline for filing such a claim) for that type of case is only five years. A judge might dismiss the case because it is time-barred on its face.

    Explanation: The dates provided within the lawsuit itself immediately reveal that the claim was filed too late, making it legally invalid without requiring a deeper factual investigation.