Legal Definitions - submit

In a legal context, to submit means to formally present something—such as evidence, arguments, or a complete case—to a court, judge, or other legal authority for their review, consideration, and ultimate decision. It signifies the act of entrusting a matter to another's judgment or determination.

• Example 1: Submitting Evidence

  During a product liability trial, the plaintiff's attorneysubmitted a series of internal company emails to the court. These emails allegedly showed that the manufacturer was aware of a defect in their product before it caused harm.

  Explanation: Here, "submit" refers to the act of formally presenting specific documents (the emails) to the court for consideration as evidence in the case. The attorney is introducing these items for the judge or jury to review and weigh in their decision-making process.

• Example 2: Submitting a Legal Brief

  After a complex environmental dispute, the attorneys for both the industrial company and the local community group were required to submit detailed legal briefs to the judge. These briefs outlined their respective interpretations of the law and how it applied to the facts presented during the trial.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "submit" means to formally file written legal arguments and analyses with the court. The attorneys are presenting their legal positions in a structured document for the judge to consider before issuing a ruling.

• Example 3: Submitting a Case for Decision

  Following weeks of testimony and closing arguments in a high-profile fraud case, the judge informed the jury that the case was now being submitted for their deliberation. This meant all evidence had been presented, and it was time for the jury to retire and reach a verdict.

  Explanation: This usage of "submit" indicates that all parties have finished presenting their arguments and evidence, and the entire matter is now formally handed over to the decision-maker (in this case, the jury) for their final judgment or determination.