wex definitions

Definition

A rule that governs the extent to which parties to a case may introduce into court evidence of a prior or contemporaneous agreement in order to modify, explain, or supplement the contract at issue.

Definition

The rule that, under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, legislative voting districts must be the same in population size. The idea behind the rule is that one person’s voting power ought to be roughly equivalent to another person’s within the state. See Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533 (1964).

Definition

A rule that says that the owner of a domesticated animal (e.g., a dog) will be held strictly liable for injuries caused by the animal only if the owner knew or should have known about the animal’s dangerous or vicious propensities, which have been manifested in the past.

Nonimmigrant visas are required of foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis. The type of nonimmigrant visa needed is defined by immigration law, and related to the purpose of the travel. The main categories are given letter designations.

A nonimmigrant is a foreign citizen present in the United States (U.S.) on a temporary basis. A non-immigrant visa is required for entry into the U.S. and authorizes a stay for a limited period of time for a specific purpose. Once a person is admitted as a nonimmigrant, they are restricted to the activity for which they were admitted. The type of visa required is defined by immigration law, and relates to the principal purpose of the travel. Foreigners come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, study and transit.

The National Visa Center (NVC) is a visa processing center operated by the US Department of State. The National Visa Center opened its permanent facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1994.

Definition

Factors that lessen the severity or culpability of a criminal act, including, but not limited to, defendant's age or extreme mental or emotional disturbance at the time the crime was committed, mental retardation, and lack of a prior criminal record. Recognition of particular mitigating circumstances varies by jurisdiction. 

Illustrative caselaw

See, e.g. Magwood v. Patterson, 130 S.Ct. 2788 (2010).

Definition

A nonresident defendant’s connections with the forum state (i.e., the state where the lawsuit is brought) that are sufficient for jurisdiction over that defendant to be proper. Lack of minimum contacts violates the nonresident defendant’s constitutional right to due process and “offends traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice” (International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310 (1945)).

Definition

Intentional conduct that is wrongful or unlawful, especially by officials or public employees. Malfeasance is at a higher level of wrongdoing than nonfeasance (failure to act where there was a duty to act) or misfeasance (conduct that is lawful but inappropriate).

Definition

1. A local official whose authority is limited to whatever has been granted by statute or specified in the appointment.

2. In local or state courts, a justice of the peace or other judicial officer who has strictly limited authority and jurisdiction to hear certain cases, often criminal cases or small claims.

3. In U.S.