Legal Definitions - spittle

Spittle refers to saliva or sputum, especially when it has been expelled from the mouth. While not a legal term with a unique definition, its presence or expulsion can be highly relevant in various legal contexts, including cases involving assault, public health regulations, or forensic evidence.

Here are some examples illustrating how the term "spittle" might apply in a legal setting:

• Example 1: Assault and Battery

  During a heated argument outside a courthouse, one individual intentionally spits directly into the face of another. The victim reports the incident to the police.

  This example illustrates "spittle" as the medium of an offensive physical contact. In many jurisdictions, intentionally spitting on someone can be considered battery, a form of assault, because it constitutes unwanted and offensive physical contact, even if it doesn't cause physical injury. The act of expelling spittle and making it contact another person's body is the core element of the offense here.

• Example 2: Public Health Ordinance Violation

  A city council passes a new ordinance prohibiting spitting on public sidewalks, in parks, or on public transportation, citing concerns about hygiene and the spread of communicable diseases.

  In this scenario, "spittle" refers to the bodily fluid whose public expulsion is regulated by law. The ordinance aims to control public behavior to maintain cleanliness and public health, making the act of spitting (expelling spittle) a prosecutable offense under local statutes.

• Example 3: Forensic Evidence

  At the scene of a burglary, investigators discover a small, dried stain on a discarded soda can. Forensic analysis confirms the stain is human spittle, from which a DNA profile is extracted, matching a known suspect.

  Here, "spittle" is a crucial piece of biological evidence. It contains DNA that can link an individual to a crime scene. The legal relevance of the spittle lies in its capacity to provide genetic material for identification, thereby serving as key evidence in a criminal investigation.