Legal Definitions - petty

In legal contexts, "petty" is an adjective used to describe something that is relatively insignificant or minor in nature. It often refers to offenses or matters considered to be of low severity or value, distinguishing them from more serious or "grand" counterparts.

In a legal context, petty describes something that is considered of minor importance, low value, or minimal severity. It is used to distinguish lesser offenses, disputes, or issues from those that are more significant or serious.

• Example 1: Minor Property Damage Claim
  Imagine a civil lawsuit where a homeowner is suing a neighbor for $75 to replace a small garden gnome that was accidentally broken during a ball game. This would be considered a petty claim because the monetary value of the damage is relatively insignificant compared to claims involving thousands of dollars for structural damage to a house or serious personal injury.

• Example 2: Workplace Policy Violation
  A company's employee handbook might categorize certain infractions as petty, such as an employee forgetting to sign out for a short lunch break on one occasion. This is a minor breach of procedure, distinct from more serious violations like theft of company property or harassment, which would carry much graver consequences.

• Example 3: Procedural Court Error
  During a court hearing, a lawyer might make a petty procedural error, such as misstating the date of a minor preliminary filing by a single day, when the correct date is easily verifiable and does not impact the substance of the case or the rights of any party. This is an insignificant mistake that would likely be overlooked or easily corrected without affecting the legal proceedings.