Legal Definitions - Jane Doe

The term Jane Doe is a placeholder name used in legal and official contexts when the true identity of a woman is either unknown or intentionally being kept confidential.

It serves as a temporary substitute for a female's real name, allowing legal proceedings, investigations, or official records to proceed without revealing or knowing her actual identity. Similar placeholder names include "John Doe" for men and "Baby Doe" for children.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of Jane Doe:

• Lawsuit Against an Unknown Party: Imagine a situation where a woman is severely injured by a hit-and-run driver, and witnesses can only confirm the driver was female but did not get a license plate or a clear look at her. If the injured woman decides to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for her medical expenses, her attorney might initiate the legal action against "Jane Doe" as the defendant. This allows the lawsuit to begin while law enforcement continues to investigate and identify the actual driver. Once the driver is identified, the lawsuit would be amended to include her real name.

  This example demonstrates how "Jane Doe" is used when a plaintiff needs to file a lawsuit but the identity of the female defendant is unknown at the time of filing.

• Protecting a Victim's Privacy in Court: Consider a high-profile civil case involving sensitive personal matters, such as a sexual assault survivor suing her assailant. To protect the survivor's privacy, safety, and prevent potential harassment or public exposure, a court might grant permission for her to be referred to as "Jane Doe" in all public court documents and proceedings. This ensures the legal process can move forward while safeguarding the individual's identity from the public record.

  This example illustrates the use of "Jane Doe" to intentionally conceal a woman's true identity in legal proceedings, often due to the sensitive nature of the case or for personal protection.

• Identification of Deceased Persons: Suppose a woman's body is discovered, but she carries no identification, and there are no immediate leads to determine who she is. Medical examiners and law enforcement agencies will refer to her as "Jane Doe" during their investigation. This placeholder name is used in official reports, autopsy records, and public appeals for information until her true identity can be established through fingerprints, dental records, DNA, or other investigative methods. If she remains unidentified, "Jane Doe" might even be inscribed on her temporary grave marker.

  This example shows "Jane Doe" being used as a temporary identifier for a deceased female whose true identity is unknown, facilitating official procedures until identification is made.