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commutation of sentence

(Encyclopedia)commutation of sentence, in criminal law, reduction of a sentence for a criminal act by action of the executive head of the government. Like pardon, commutation of sentence is a matter of grace, not o...

perjury

(Encyclopedia)perjury pûrˈjərē [key], in criminal law, the act of willfully and knowingly stating a falsehood under oath or under affirmation in judicial or administrative proceedings. If the person accused of ...

punishment

(Encyclopedia)punishment: see capital punishment; corporal punishment; criminal law; prison. ...

assault

(Encyclopedia)assault, in law, an attempt or threat, going beyond mere words, to use violence, with the intent and the apparent ability to do harm to another. If violent contact actually occurs, the offense of batt...

crime

(Encyclopedia)crime: see criminal law; criminology; gang; juvenile delinquency; organized crime. ...

common-law marriage

(Encyclopedia)common-law marriage: see under husband and wife. ...

counselor at law

(Encyclopedia)counselor at law: see attorney.

code, in law

(Encyclopedia)code, in law, in its widest sense any body of legal rules expressed in fixed and authoritative written form. A statute thus may be termed a code. Codes contrast with customary law (including common la...