Legal Definitions - frivolous

In a legal context, a claim, motion, or appeal is considered frivolous when it is so clearly lacking in legal or factual merit that no reasonable person could genuinely believe it has a chance of success. Essentially, a frivolous action is one that has no serious legal basis or legitimate purpose. Such actions are often filed not to genuinely seek justice, but rather to harass, delay, or impose an unnecessary burden on another party or the court system.

When a court determines that an action is frivolous, it can dismiss the case and may order the party who filed it, and sometimes their attorney, to pay the other side's legal expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred as a result of the frivolous filing.

• Example 1: Baseless Factual Claim

  Imagine a person sues a local coffee shop, claiming that the barista used telepathy to steal their secret recipe for a new beverage, demanding millions in damages. The plaintiff provides no evidence other than their personal belief.

  Explanation: This lawsuit would be deemed frivolous because its factual contentions are clearly baseless and fantastical. There is no plausible evidence or reasonable ground to support the claim of telepathic theft, demonstrating a complete lack of factual merit.

• Example 2: Meritless Legal Theory

  A defendant, convicted of a crime, files an appeal arguing that the entire legal system is invalid because they personally do not consent to be governed by any laws. They cite no legal precedent or constitutional argument to support this position.

  Explanation: This appeal is frivolous because it is based on an indisputably meritless legal theory. The argument that an individual can unilaterally opt out of the legal system is contrary to fundamental principles of law and has no legal standing, illustrating a complete absence of a valid legal argument.

• Example 3: Action for Harassment or Delay

  In a business dispute, one company repeatedly files identical motions asking the court to dismiss the case, even after the court has already denied the same motion multiple times and explained its reasoning. The company's only stated purpose is to "wear down" the opposing party's legal budget.

  Explanation: These repeated motions would be considered frivolous because they lack a legitimate legal purpose. Their intent is not to genuinely advance a legal argument but to harass the opposing party, delay the proceedings, and impose unnecessary costs, rather than to seek a just resolution.