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Simple English definitions for legal terms

Void for vagueness

Read a random definition: American Forces Information Service

A quick definition of Void for vagueness:

Void for vagueness: This is a legal term that means a law or document is not clear enough to be valid. In criminal law, a law can be void for vagueness if it doesn't clearly state what is required or what behavior is punishable. This can also happen if a law gives too much power to judges or administrators, which could lead to unfair prosecutions. In property law, a document like a deed can be void for vagueness if it doesn't clearly describe the property it's supposed to affect.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Void for vagueness is a legal term used to declare a law or instrument invalid because it lacks clarity or specificity.

There are three main contexts in which the term is used:

  1. Criminal law: A law is void for vagueness if it does not clearly specify what conduct is required or punishable. This can lead to confusion and arbitrary enforcement. For example, a law that prohibits "disorderly conduct" without defining what that means could be considered void for vagueness.
  2. Delegation of authority: A statute is also void for vagueness if it delegates too much authority to judges or administrators, leading to arbitrary prosecutions. For example, a law that allows judges to determine what constitutes "obscene" material without providing clear guidelines could be considered void for vagueness.
  3. Property law: A deed or other instrument affecting property rights is void for vagueness if it lacks a clear description of the property. For example, a deed that describes the property as "the land behind the old mill" without providing a specific boundary could be considered void for vagueness.

Illustrative caselaw: In Skilling v. United States, the Supreme Court found that the "honest services" statute was void for vagueness because it did not clearly define what conduct was prohibited. This led to confusion and arbitrary enforcement.

Example: A city ordinance prohibits "loud and disruptive behavior" in public places. However, the ordinance does not provide a clear definition of what constitutes "loud and disruptive behavior." As a result, police officers may interpret the law differently, leading to arbitrary enforcement and confusion among citizens. This ordinance could be considered void for vagueness.

Void | Void marriage

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got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:44
My berkeley paragraph finally disappeared. I definitely think it is just an indicator that they are actively reviewing files, and does not mean anything about A, WL, or Rs
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:46
Also has anyone's date disappeared for W&L? Mine did last night
7:55
@WorthlessAttractiveZombie: mine did yesterday morning
7:56
Oops sorry I meant Vilanova. Mine disappeared last week
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