Legal Definitions - frame

To "frame" a legal document means to plan, shape, or draft its content, such as framing a statute or a complaint. In another context, it refers to the act of falsely incriminating an innocent person by fabricating or planting evidence against them.

The term "frame" has two distinct meanings in a legal or formal context:

• 1. To Plan or Construct:

  This refers to the act of carefully planning, structuring, or creating something, often a formal document, argument, or set of rules.

  • Example: A committee of legal experts was tasked with carefully considering all perspectives to frame new regulations for data privacy, ensuring they were comprehensive and enforceable.

    Explanation: In this instance, "frame" means the committee was meticulously planning and drafting the specific language and structure of the new data privacy regulations.

• 2. To Falsely Incriminate:

  This refers to the act of deliberately making an innocent person appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing by fabricating or planting false evidence against them.

  • Example 1: When a valuable antique went missing from the museum, a disgruntled former employee attempted to frame a security guard by secretly placing a piece of the antique's broken display case in the guard's personal locker.

    Explanation: Here, "frame" describes the act of intentionally planting misleading physical evidence (the broken display case piece) to falsely accuse the security guard of the theft.

  • Example 2: During a heated political campaign, an opposing operative tried to frame a rival candidate by creating fake social media posts and emails that appeared to show the candidate soliciting illegal campaign donations.

    Explanation: This example illustrates "frame" as the act of manufacturing false digital evidence (fake posts and emails) to falsely incriminate the candidate and damage their reputation.