Trespass is knowingly entering another owners’ property or land without permission, which encroaches on the owners’ privacy or property interests. There are many laws relating to trespass.
Tort LawTrespass to Land: If an...
criminal law
true bill
True bill (also called true bill of indictment) refers to a decision to indict a criminal defendant by a Grand Jury. When a Grand Jury decides the prosecution has provided enough evidence to show probable cause, they give a true bill which...
turn state's evidence
Turn state’s evidence (also known as “turn King’s evidence”) or to "flip” means the defendant chose to reveal valuable evidence to the prosecutor, in exchange for a reduction of the charge or the dismissal of some charges. When the defendant...
Twinkie defense
The term "Twinkie defense" is an umbrella term that, in the most general sense, refers to an unconventional defensive argument. The term originated from the 1979 trial of Dan White, a San Francisco politician, who was charged with first-...
under the influence
The phrase “under the influence” refers to impairment, to any degree, of an individual’s ability to safely perform the activity in question as a result of the use of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
If a person is...
United States Attorney’s Office (USAO)
The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) is a subagency of the Department of Justice charged with representing the federal government in court. The U.S. Attorney General directs the USAO. Each federal district has their own office led by a...
unlawful
General description for conduct that is illegal or not authorized by law.
The term is sometimes used in a more narrow sense. For instance, "unlawful" may refer only to conduct that is criminally punishable. At other times, "unlawful" may...
unlawful assembly
An unlawful assembly is the meeting together of three or more persons with the intent to disturb the public peace.
To constitute this offense, it must appear that there was common intent of the persons assembled to attain...
unreasonable
The term “unreasonable” refers to any action or result that exceeds a reasonable expectation, or refers to anything beyond what would be considered “common sense.” In criminal cases, the prosecutor should explain the evidence so clearly that...
uttering
Under common law, uttering is when a person offers as genuine a forged instrument with the intent to defraud.