labor
union
A
group of employees who organize in order to further
their common interests as employees.
landlord
Someone
who rents out property to a tenant.
larceny
The intentional taking
of another person's property without legal permission.
What constitutes legal permission varies from state
to state. Whether it is grand larceny or petty larceny
depends on the actual value of the property stolen.
law
A system of rules and
procedures employed by organized society to regulate
the conduct of people in that society. Most legal
philosophers believe that for law to be considered
enforceable it must serve the good of society as a
whole. Others believe that law is whatever the rulers
say it is and no more. The original root of law comes
from the Bible, in which the first writings of what
is good and evil were detailed for all to read. For
example, the phrase "eye for an eye" can be found
in early teachings. The first law system which had
a direct influence on American law came from the Roman
Emperor Justinian in 528. The principal source of
American law is from "common law" which
came from England. Common law is based on custom and
precedent. Legislative law is based on the written
code.
law of the case
Upon the determination
of a legal issue by the court that determination becomes
binding throughout the life of the case.
lay a foundation
A determination by
the court to hear and consider why certain evidence
is sufficiently relevant and trustworthy before allowing
it into evidence. For example, before an expert can
give expert opinion as a witness a foundation must
be laid establishing that the expert is qualified
by virtue of training, education and experience to
give such testimony.
leading question
A style of questioning
in which the answer is suggested by the wording of
the question. Leading questions are allowed in cross-examination
but generally prohibited in direct examination unless
the witness is a child.
lease
A
written agreement for rental of certain premises for
a fixed period of time (such as 6 months or 1 year).
legal
custody
The
parent-child relationship in which the parent has
the right to make decisions about the child's lifestyle
(for example, what religion the child should be raised
in or what school the child should attend).
legal
separation
A
proceeding in which the property and support rights
of a husband and wife are determined by a judge, but
the parties remain legally married. Legal separation
can be used in place of divorce if the spouses want
to live separately but do not want to get divorced
because of religious reasons.
lessee
Another
word for "tenant."
lesser-included
offense
A lesser crime which
is proved by the same facts as a more serious crime.
The defendant is typically not charged with the lesser
crime on the basis that the punishment is already
covered by the more serious crime.
lessor
Another
word for "landlord."
liability
A
determination of who is responsible for an injury
or event.
libel
When
someone publishes a written or printed lie about you.
liberty
The freedom to choose
ones own destiny within an ordered society.
The liberty of a society in general is dependent on
the liberty of every member of that society as individuals.