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Simple English definitions for legal terms

Vagueness doctrine

Read a random definition: Lord Justice General

A quick definition of Vagueness doctrine:

The vagueness doctrine is a rule that says criminal laws must clearly state what actions are illegal. If a law is too vague, it can't be enforced. This rule helps prevent unfair treatment and arbitrary enforcement of the law. It also applies to laws that give too much power to judges or administrators, which could lead to unfair prosecutions.

A more thorough explanation:

The vagueness doctrine is a constitutional rule that requires criminal laws to clearly and specifically state what actions are punishable. If a criminal law is too vague, it is considered "void for vagueness." This doctrine is based on the due process clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The purpose of the vagueness doctrine is to ensure that people have fair notice of what actions are illegal and what actions are not, and to prevent arbitrary enforcement of the laws.

For example, if a law states that it is illegal to "act in an indecent manner," this is too vague because it does not clearly define what actions are considered "indecent." On the other hand, a law that states it is illegal to "expose one's genitals in public" is more specific and less likely to be considered void for vagueness.

Another aspect of the vagueness doctrine is that a statute can also be void for vagueness if a legislature delegates too much authority to judges or administrators, which could lead to arbitrary prosecutions. For example, if a law gives judges the power to determine what actions are illegal without providing clear guidelines, this could lead to inconsistent and arbitrary enforcement of the law.

An illustrative case that demonstrates the vagueness doctrine is Skilling v. United States, 130 S.Ct. 2896 (2010). In this case, the Supreme Court found that the "honest services" statute was too vague because it did not clearly define what actions constituted a violation of the law. As a result, the Court ruled that the statute was void for vagueness.

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15:30
fucking seriously dude we're readinf 1l of a ride
oh im reading that on my own
i feel like yall should read a fun book
NosyBeagle
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can't join ur discord yet. im a next cycle baby
NosyBeagle
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or an OF model if this shit doesn't start clicking
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ive been banned from too many discords
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you dont want me there
15:46
i want u there nemo
NosyBeagle
16:04
discord has been fine for me. i go nuts on twitter tho
16:08
I miss pre-Elon twitter
real
you go to twitter replies and it's all blue checks and bots now it's fugly
i just have a burner twitter for political updates
it's a cesspool
16:34
was twitter ever good
much better than it is now
16:34
i had it in 2015 and it was already ultra political rage bait
16:34
ok ya fair
nothing will top 2014 tumblr for me though
16:36
yo fr
16:36
2014 tumblr eating disorder core
there used to be a two-story american apparel in chicago and all the employees were beautiful and cool and here comes 13 year old me thinking i was just like them because i wore the same clothes
you are beautiful and cool tho
no YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL AND COOL!!!!!
it was like the hipster mecca
16:44
Tumblr ands its consequences have been a disaster for the human race
im glad i got over my tumblr politics phase in high school
Some people never grow out of it
NosyBeagle
18:45
ok my shift is over. byebye lawyers <3
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