Absolute disparity is a calculation used to analyze a claim that a jury pool did not represent a fair cross-section of the community; for instance, a jury pool that is composed of only white jurors in a community that is predominantly Black. It is calculated by subtracting the percentage of a group in the jury pool from the percentage of that group in the general population.
Absolute privilege in a defamation case is a complete immunity from liability for statements that would otherwise be considered defamatory.
The abstention doctrine is an authority that precludes federal courts from hearing cases within their jurisdictions; instead, giving state courts authority over the case.
The abstention doctrine is an authority that precludes federal courts from hearing cases within its jurisdictions, instead, giving state courts authority over the case.
Abuse is an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse (see below).
Abuse is also to misuse something—e.g., abuse of process.
Depreciation is the reduced value of something over time. Accelerated depreciation is any loss of value where the business depreciates (i.e., accounts for the value loss of a fixed asset in tax filings) at a greater proportion of an asset’s expected lifetime value loss earlier in its life.
An accommodation originally meant a loan or other financial favor. An accommodation more commonly means providing assistance or convenience for a person, and the practice of modifying objects and situations to their benefit or needs.
An accompanying relative, or immediate relative, is a family member of a person who has immigrated to the United States.
Accord broadly means agreement but has several specific legal uses.
Acquisition of citizenship refers to the ability of individuals born abroad to achieve U.S. citizenship because at least one of their parents is a U.S. citizen. If the child meets the complex requirements, the child “acquires” citizenship through a parent even if the child was born abroad. The laws governing acquisition of citizenship have been changed significantly, and in order to determine a child’s eligibility for acquisition, they must look to the laws applicable for their birth year.
