dementia Americana n. a (supposed) form of insanity, leading to violence, which comes over a man who believes his his home or family has been violated. (posted Jun. 25, 2004) [full entry…]
drying rock n. a rock in the sea whose exposed surface at low tide is used as a marker for surveying or establishing legal boundaries. (posted Jun. 9, 2004) [full entry…]
dump truck n. a lawyer seen as too willing to plead cases, especially a public defender. (posted Mar. 21, 2005) [full entry…]
foot fault n. in jurisprudence, a minor criminal or procedural violation; a legal misstep. (posted Oct. 22, 2004) [full entry…]
Lochnerism n. generally, a form of judicial activism in which court decisions are made based upon presumed rights not specifically addressed by existing (Constitutional) law, especially when influenced by political or personal beliefs. (posted May. 5, 2005) [full entry…]
Miami Model n. a method of diminishing political protests by applying laws or methods designed to combat terrorism, especially those involving heavy use of non-lethal force. (posted Aug. 24, 2004) [full entry…]
public service murder n. the killing of a person who is perceived to be bad for a community or society. (posted Apr. 11, 2006) [full entry…]
SODDI defense n. blame placed on an unknown party (in a court of law); Also TODDI defense, blame placed on a known party (in a court of law). (posted Nov. 2, 2005) [full entry…]
three plastic animals rule n. the legal determination that secular symbols in a government-sponsored year-end seasonal display (such as a Nativity scene) can mark it as not endorsing a specific religion or religion in general. (posted Dec. 14, 2005) [full entry…]
whippy n. an insurance claim for whiplash, or a person making such a claim. (posted Jun. 7, 2007) [full entry…]
wobbler n. (in California) a crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. (posted Sep. 7, 2006) [full entry…]