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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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THATS SO FUNNY
i cant i would go crazy
JumpySubsequentDolphin
20:50
i need to know who decided to do that.
JumpySubsequentDolphin
20:50
omg im on a plane weeeee
the devil
youre on a plane??? LSD made the mile high club??
20:50
yo splitterus are you in school already
20:50
it says ur c/o 2027
JumpySubsequentDolphin
20:51
@SplitterusClitterus: HAHAH yes
ur user is hilarioussss and no i just graduated this may and am now applying ---also im out of messages so ill take a lil
20:52
roger dat. see u in heck
im back, r u applying this cycle too
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:32
this child fell asleep on me
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:32
im so uncomfortable
just push him off the entire seat
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:34
LMAOOOO
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:35
no he’s literally like 8 and he fully just put his head on my bicep and slept
JumpySubsequentDolphin
21:35
he has since moved
22:12
@SplitterusClitterus: me yesterday
gulc baby pls text me back... i miss you ...... :(
22:23
i just went into a discord vc and yelled "YALL I JUST GOT INTO J.M. SCHOOL OF LAW"
22:24
people were getting excited :sob:
22:25
then someone was like "what does jm stand for" and i was like .. well
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@JumpySubsequentDolphin: wait this is so cute, also where r u going
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JumpySubsequentDolphin
22:39
@splitty Oregon!
oh yay for what thats so random
JumpySubsequentDolphin
22:45
haha my brother and sister in law live there
so cutie oregon is beatiful
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