Legal Definitions - mulct

The term mulct can be used as both a noun and a verb.

• As a noun, a mulct refers to a financial penalty or a fine imposed as punishment.
• As a verb, to mulct means either to punish someone by requiring them to pay a fine, or, more broadly, to deprive someone of money or property, often through deceit or fraud.

Here are some examples to illustrate its use:

• Example 1 (Verb - To punish by a fine): A local government agency decided to mulct a restaurant chain that consistently failed health inspections, imposing a hefty fine for each violation until all issues were rectified.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the agency is punishing the restaurant chain by requiring it to pay a financial penalty, directly illustrating the verb meaning of "to punish by a fine."

• Example 2 (Verb - To deprive fraudulently): The con artist managed to mulct several unsuspecting individuals of their retirement savings by promising them guaranteed high returns on a fictitious investment opportunity.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the verb meaning of "to deprive or divest of, especially fraudulently," as the con artist deceitfully took money from people under false pretenses.

• Example 3 (Noun - A fine or penalty): Following a lengthy legal battle, the court ordered a significant mulct against the corporation found guilty of environmental pollution, with the funds earmarked for cleanup efforts.

  Explanation: Here, "mulct" is used as a noun, referring to the substantial financial penalty imposed on the corporation as a consequence of its illegal actions.