Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Pecuniary gain refers to an increase in money or something that has monetary value. It can also refer to the profit made from selling something for more than it cost. In some cases, it can be a motivation for committing a crime. For example, if someone is paid to commit a murder, the punishment will be more severe. Pecuniary gain can also be a type of community property that reflects the increase in property value brought about by the spouses' common skill or labor.
Definition: Pecuniary gain refers to an increase in money or something that has monetary value. It can also refer to the excess of receipts over expenditures or sale price over cost. In criminal law, it is any monetary or economic gain that motivates the commission of an offense. For example, murder can be aggravated to capital murder if the murderer is paid to commit the crime.
Examples:
The examples illustrate how pecuniary gain can refer to an increase in money or something that has monetary value, such as the profit from selling a car or stolen jewelry. It can also refer to the excess of receipts over expenditures or sale price over cost, as seen in the divorce settlement example.