Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Tergiversatio
Definition: Tergiversatio is a Latin term that means being reluctant or hanging back. In Roman law, it refers to a delay tactic used by an accuser who fails to pursue a criminal charge, often by not appearing at the trial. To withdraw an accusation, the court's permission for an annulment was necessary. If someone was convicted of tergiversatio, they were subject to a fine. This term is also known as CALUMNIA and is different from PRAEVARICATIO.
tergiversatio
Tergiversatio is a legal term that means delaying a legal case by not pursuing a criminal charge. It is a tactic used by the accuser to avoid appearing in court. If someone is found guilty of tergiversatio, they may have to pay a fine.
One example of tergiversatio is when a person accuses someone of a crime but fails to show up in court to testify. This can delay the legal process and prevent the case from moving forward. Another example is when an accuser withdraws their accusation without the court's permission, which is also considered tergiversatio.
For instance, if someone accuses another person of theft but fails to show up in court to testify, the case may be delayed or even dismissed. This is an example of tergiversatio because the accuser is hanging back and not pursuing the criminal charge.