Vague means hazy, uncertain, or imprecise. Used in reference to words — especially sentences and paragraphs — that are not clearly expressed. A criminal statute is void for vagueness if it is so vague that it fails to give a person fair notice of what...
criminal law
Vega v. Tekoh (2022)
Vega v. Tekoh (2022) is the Supreme Court case that ruled a Miranda Rights violation does not provide a basis for relief under 42 U.S. Code § 1983.
Overview:The case involved the interrogation of Terence Tekoh by the...
vehicular homicide
A crime in which the defendant's unlawful or negligent operation of a motor vehicle results in the death of another person. Also called automobile homicide and vehicular manslaughter. Such laws vary by jurisdiction, but vehicular homicide is...
vehicular manslaughter
A crime in which the defendant's unlawful or negligent operation of a motor vehicle results in the death of another person. Also called vehicular homicide. The specific law of each jurisdiction can vary, but vehicular manslaughter is generally easier...
vigilante
Someone who personally claims to enforce law and order, but lacks legal authority to do so. Vigilantes operate by using actual or threatened force, and are distinguished from people who simply watch out for criminal behavior and report it to the...
vigilante justice
Behavior that resembles or matches that of vigilantes. Vigilante justice often describes the actions of a single person or group of people who claim to enforce the law but lack the legal authority to do so. However, the term can also describe a...
vigilantism
See Vigilante justice.
voluntary manslaughter
Killing another person without deliberation, premeditation, or malice aforethought. Committed while in the heat of passion, or else, as a result of some kind of adequate provocation.
wanton
An adjective used to describe behavior that is either particularly inhuman (as in cruel and wanton behavior), or behavior that is lewd or bawdy (in a sexual context).
warrantless
Warrantless means that government officers carry out a search or arrest without a warrant or any other legal authorization. The requirement of a warrant serves to protect individuals’ privacy interests against unreasonable governmental...