bias

Definition

A preexisting inclination toward or against something that clouds objective judgment, like wearing prejudice-tinted glasses to a trial. In legal contexts, it's the thing that gets jurors dismissed and judges recused, because theoretically justice should be blind, not playing favorites. Everyone has biases, but lawyers spend considerable energy pretending they can eliminate them from the courtroom.

Example Usage

The defense attorney argued for dismissal due to juror bias, noting that a juror wearing a 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent' t-shirt might not be impartial.

Source: Legal and general terminology

Related Terms

Beginner

prosecute

To bring criminal charges against someone and pursue them through the justice system until conviction or acquittal. The government's official way of saying "we think you're guilty and we're going to prove it." Requires actual evidence, unlike TV shows where hunches and dramatic music suffice.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

defective

Having one or more flaws that prevent proper functioning, like your supposedly waterproof phone or that new hire who can't figure out the copier. In product liability law, this term launches a thousand lawsuits. In grammar, it describes verbs so irregular they're missing entire conjugations, like 'must' having no past tense—ironically defective themselves.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

unconstitutional

The legal equivalent of calling something fundamentally illegal because it violates the constitution—the supreme law of the land. When courts declare something unconstitutional, they're basically saying "that law is so wrong it contradicts our most basic principles." It's the ultimate trump card in legal arguments, assuming you can convince judges you're right.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

accelerant

A substance that speeds up chemical reactions, most famously known for making fires spread faster—which is why arson investigators get really interested when they find petroleum products at fire scenes. In startup speak, it's sometimes used metaphorically for anything that rapidly grows a business, though actual accelerants are far more literal and illegal. Either way, things are about to get hot quickly.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

lawsuit

The civilized alternative to settling disputes with pitchforks and torches, where disagreeing parties ask a judge (and possibly a jury) to decide who's right using an absurdly expensive process involving lawyers, paperwork, and years of your life. It's basically formalized arguing with filing fees. The grown-up version of 'I'm telling Mom' except Mom wears a robe and has a gavel.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

parole

Early release from prison with strings attached, where freedom comes with a surveillance package and a curfew. You're technically out but under constant supervision, proving that forgiveness in the justice system is more of a trial period than an actual clean slate. Break the rules and you're back behind bars faster than you can say 'parole violation.'

⚖️ Legal

Translate This Term

See “bias” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Intermediate

Depreciation

The accounting practice of acknowledging that everything you own is slowly becoming worthless, which is depressing when ...