vague

Vague means hazy, uncertain, or imprecise. The term vague is used in reference to language - 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 conduct is prohibited or required. A statute is also void for vagueness if a legislature's delegation of authority to judges and/or administrators is so extensive that it would lead to arbitrary prosecutions.

See also: vagueness doctrine , criminal procedure , civil procedure , and due process .

See, e.g. Skilling v. United States , 130 S.Ct. 2896 (2010) ; Winters v. New York, 333 U.S. 507 (1948)

[Last reviewed in July of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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