Legal Definitions - Richard Roe

Richard Roe is a fictitious name used in legal proceedings and documents to refer to a male individual whose true identity is unknown, intentionally being withheld, or not yet determined. It acts as a temporary placeholder when a real name cannot or should not be disclosed. This term is often used alongside "John Doe," which typically refers to the first unidentified male party, with "Richard Roe" being used for a second unidentified male, and so forth.

Here are a few examples to illustrate the use of Richard Roe:

• Scenario: Lawsuit Against Unknown Individuals

  A property owner discovers that two unidentified men broke into their vacant building and caused significant damage. When filing a lawsuit to seek compensation, the owner's attorney might name the defendants as "John Doe and Richard Roe" because the true identities of the individuals are unknown at the time the complaint is filed. The court can then proceed with the case, allowing the plaintiff to seek discovery to uncover the actual names of the perpetrators.

  This example illustrates how "Richard Roe" is used when the identity of a male party in a legal dispute is genuinely unknown, allowing the legal process to begin even without a specific name.

• Scenario: Protecting a Witness's Identity

  In a high-profile criminal trial involving organized crime, a male witness who has provided crucial testimony fears retaliation. To protect his safety and privacy, the court might issue an order allowing him to be referred to as "Richard Roe" in all public court documents and during open proceedings, even though his true identity is known to the judge and attorneys involved. This prevents his real name from becoming public information.

  Here, "Richard Roe" is used to intentionally withhold a known male party's identity from the public record for reasons of safety and confidentiality.

• Scenario: Investigation of Multiple Unidentified Suspects

  Following a large public disturbance, law enforcement reviews surveillance footage and identifies several distinct male individuals involved in criminal acts, but their names are not immediately known. In initial police reports, warrants, or internal documents, officers might refer to these individuals as "Suspect John Doe," "Suspect Richard Roe," "Suspect Peter Poe," etc., until their actual identities can be confirmed through further investigation or arrest.

  This demonstrates "Richard Roe" being used as a temporary identifier for one of multiple male suspects whose identities are yet to be established during an ongoing investigation.