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Simple English definitions for legal terms

Vagueness doctrine

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A quick definition of Vagueness doctrine:

The vagueness doctrine is a rule that says criminal laws must clearly state what actions are illegal. If a law is too vague, it can't be enforced. This rule helps prevent unfair treatment and arbitrary enforcement of the law. It also applies to laws that give too much power to judges or administrators, which could lead to unfair prosecutions.

A more thorough explanation:

The vagueness doctrine is a constitutional rule that requires criminal laws to clearly and specifically state what actions are punishable. If a criminal law is too vague, it is considered "void for vagueness." This doctrine is based on the due process clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The purpose of the vagueness doctrine is to ensure that people have fair notice of what actions are illegal and what actions are not, and to prevent arbitrary enforcement of the laws.

For example, if a law states that it is illegal to "act in an indecent manner," this is too vague because it does not clearly define what actions are considered "indecent." On the other hand, a law that states it is illegal to "expose one's genitals in public" is more specific and less likely to be considered void for vagueness.

Another aspect of the vagueness doctrine is that a statute can also be void for vagueness if a legislature delegates too much authority to judges or administrators, which could lead to arbitrary prosecutions. For example, if a law gives judges the power to determine what actions are illegal without providing clear guidelines, this could lead to inconsistent and arbitrary enforcement of the law.

An illustrative case that demonstrates the vagueness doctrine is Skilling v. United States, 130 S.Ct. 2896 (2010). In this case, the Supreme Court found that the "honest services" statute was too vague because it did not clearly define what actions constituted a violation of the law. As a result, the Court ruled that the statute was void for vagueness.

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shaquilleoatmeal
10:40
@llama: yea my vitamin k levels were wack, its normal after focusing on it but wouldnt have known otherwise
texaslawhopefully
10:40
I think it’s really easy to be vitamin D deficient, I’m perpetually vitamin D deficient too
shaquilleoatmeal
10:40
@JumpySubsequentDolphin: go buy this rn https://luckyironlife.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopcbDKFQGvh4KZ_nbX2zDqQNiXhVLGMqa27SRB-aW6oIepipKGz
another week without NYU DLS :(
PuppyBot
10:41
i am also vitamin d deficient its really common in more tan people
PuppyBot
10:41
i also have high cholesterol
GreyCeaselessMammoth
10:41
oh that's interesting, is your skin more resistant to the sun??
JumpySubsequentDolphin
10:42
@GreyCeaselessMammoth: there isn’t much sun here ☹️
10:42
shaq is rite, gotta stay on top if this shit.
PuppyBot
10:42
pigmentation reduces vitamin D production in the skin
JumpySubsequentDolphin
10:42
also yeah Arabs are like perpetually vit d deficient. we get those big bulk pill bottles for everyone in my family
GreyCeaselessMammoth
10:43
that's so interesting, i have a lot of arab family but i haven't heard of that
GreyCeaselessMammoth
10:43
i guess it makes sense
JumpySubsequentDolphin
10:43
@shaquilleoatmeal: I still think that would hurt my stomach
lilypadfrog
10:43
@shaquilleoatmeal: quarterly is crazy I haven’t gotten a physical in over three years
PuppyBot
10:43
median vitamin D intakes of American blacks are below recommended intakes in every age group, with or without the inclusion of vitamin D from supplements.
JumpySubsequentDolphin
10:43
@GreyCeaselessMammoth: NO WAY!! from where mammoth
GreyCeaselessMammoth
10:44
egypt! wa usratik mineyn?
indian people are also vitamin d deficient lolol
cumsock
10:44
i want a burgerrrrrrrrrr cheesy burger double patty bacon pickles
10:44
i am vitamin d deficient lol
PuppyBot
10:44
no pickles
JumpySubsequentDolphin
10:45
@GreyCeaselessMammoth: I LOVE EGYPTIAN ARABIC IT KILLS ME
JumpySubsequentDolphin
10:45
im palestinian
shaquilleoatmeal
10:45
@lilypadfrog: lmao, i get vo2 testing done at a lab and they offer it so i just do it. Also wtf havent u gotten a physical in so long?!
GreyCeaselessMammoth
10:45
JUMPYYYY we're neighbors!!
cumsock
10:45
what if ur irish and u are pale enough to reflect light does that mean ur deficient
@GreyCeaselessMammoth: i eat mostly whole foods now on my day to day and its the best
PuppyBot
10:45
maybe. i also burn. so i dont get how im deficient
GreyCeaselessMammoth
10:46
well i'm white but my stepdad is egyptian so i've been there a bunch and raised in a multi-gen egyptian household
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