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Simple English definitions for legal terms
on all fours
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A quick definition of on all fours:
Term: on all fours
Definition: When lawyers talk about a case being "on all fours," they mean that it is very similar to another case that has already been decided. It's like when an animal walks on all four legs. If a case is "on all fours," it can be used as a good example for how to decide the new case. This is important because it helps judges make fair decisions. Sometimes, the facts in the new case don't have to be exactly the same as the old case, but they have to be similar enough that everyone can understand what the law is supposed to be.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: "On all fours" is a phrase used by lawyers to describe a previous case that has very similar facts and issues to the current case. It means that the two cases are so similar that the previous case can be used as a legal precedent for the current case.
For example, if a court is deciding a case where a person was injured in a car accident, they might look at a previous case where someone was injured in a similar car accident. If the facts and issues in the previous case are almost identical to the current case, the previous case is said to be "on all fours" with the current case.
The phrase is often used in cases where the doctrine of qualified immunity is being discussed. Qualified immunity protects government officials from being sued for actions they take while doing their job, as long as those actions don't violate a "clearly established right." If a previous case is "on all fours" with the current case, it can be used to show that the right being violated was clearly established.
For example, if a police officer is being sued for using excessive force during an arrest, the court might look at a previous case where a police officer was sued for using excessive force in a similar situation. If the facts and issues in the previous case are almost identical to the current case, the previous case is said to be "on all fours" with the current case, and can be used to show that the right being violated was clearly established.