Legal Definitions - indicium

An indicium is a sign, a clue, or a piece of information that suggests or points towards the existence of a particular fact, condition, or conclusion. It serves as an indicator or a form of circumstantial proof, helping to establish a larger truth without necessarily being direct evidence itself.

• Example 1 (Criminal Investigation): In a case of suspected arson, investigators discover several empty gasoline cans hidden near the burned building. While not direct proof that someone intentionally set the fire, the presence of these cans is a strong indicium suggesting deliberate ignition rather than an accidental cause. It's a significant sign pointing towards foul play.

• Example 2 (Business Transactions): A company consistently makes large, unexplained payments to an offshore account owned by one of its executives. These payments, without clear justification, could be an indicium of financial misconduct or embezzlement. They serve as a red flag, indicating a potential irregularity that warrants further investigation.

• Example 3 (Property Law): When a person has been openly and continuously living on and maintaining a piece of land for many years, even without a formal deed, their actions like paying property taxes, building fences, and cultivating crops are strong indicium of their intent to possess the land as their own. These visible signs can be crucial in establishing a claim of adverse possession.