Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: tax-anticipation note
Retire: To stop working or doing a job. It can also mean to pay off a loan or for a jury to go into a room to make a decision after hearing all the evidence and instructions.
Definition: to stop working at one's occupation, pay off a loan, or for a jury to go into the jury room to decide on a verdict after all evidence, argument and jury instructions have been completed.
The first example illustrates the first definition of retiring, which means to stop working at one's occupation. John has worked for 40 years and has decided to retire, which means he will no longer work at his job.
The second example illustrates the second definition of retiring, which means to pay off a loan. Samantha has made her final payment on her student loan, which means she has retired the loan and no longer owes any money.
The third example illustrates the third definition of retiring, which means for a jury to go into the jury room to decide on a verdict after all evidence, argument and jury instructions have been completed. The judge has instructed the jury to retire to the jury room to deliberate on the verdict, which means they will discuss the evidence and arguments presented in the trial and come to a decision.