Legal Definitions - unbroken

In legal terms, unbroken refers to something that has continued without any interruption, gap, or break. It signifies a state of continuity or an uninterrupted sequence over a period of time, ensuring that there are no missing links or disruptions in a process, status, or chain of events.

• Example 1: Residency Requirements

  A city ordinance might offer a special tax exemption to residents who have maintained an unbroken residency within the city limits for at least 20 years. This means that to qualify, an individual must have lived continuously in the city for two decades, without any periods where they moved out and then returned. Any gap in their residency, even for a short time, would "break" the continuity requirement and make them ineligible for the exemption.

• Example 2: Chain of Custody for Evidence

  In a criminal trial, prosecutors must often demonstrate an unbroken chain of custody for crucial physical evidence, such as a DNA sample or a weapon found at a crime scene. This legal requirement ensures that from the moment the evidence was collected until it is presented in court, its handling has been meticulously documented. An "unbroken" chain means there were no unauthorized access points, no periods where the evidence was unaccounted for, and its integrity was maintained throughout, assuring the court that the evidence has not been tampered with.

• Example 3: Succession of Property Rights

  A property deed might specify an unbroken line of succession for a particular easement, such as a right-of-way across a neighboring property. This means that the right to use that portion of land must have passed directly from one owner to the next without any lapse, dispute, or period where the right was not clearly attached to the property or its current owner. An "unbroken" succession ensures that the current owner legally possesses the easement, having received it through a continuous and valid transfer from all previous titleholders.