Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Jane Doe
Definition: Jane Doe is a pretend name used for a woman when we don't know her real name or want to keep it secret. Sometimes, we use it in a court case when we don't know who the person is we are suing. It can also be used for a woman who has died and we don't know who she is. We put Jane Doe on her gravestone until we find out her real name. Other names like John Doe or Baby Doe are used for men or children when we don't know their real names.
Jane Doe is a fake name used for a woman whose real identity is not known or kept secret. It is also used for women who have died and cannot be identified. Other similar names include Jane Roe, John Doe, Janie Doe, Johnny Doe, or Baby Doe.
For example, if someone files a lawsuit against a person whose identity is not known, they might use the name Jane Doe or John Doe. This is because they do not know the real name of the person they are suing. Similarly, if a woman wants to keep her identity secret in a lawsuit, she might use the name Jane Doe.
If a woman has died and no one knows who she is, she might be called Jane Doe until her real identity is discovered. This is also true for children who cannot be identified.
The use of Jane Doe is important because it protects the privacy of people who do not want their real name to be known. It also helps to identify people who cannot be identified by their real name.