lenity

Definition

Legal and formal term for showing mercy, leniency, or forgiveness—the opposite of 'throw the book at them.' What judges pretend to consider before handing down maximum sentences.

Example Usage

The judge showed lenity toward the first-time offender, reducing the sentence by half.

Source: Legal and formal English terminology

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A writ challenging someone's right to hold public office or exercise a franchise, Latin for 'by what warrant.' It's the legal system's credentials check for people wielding authority they may not legitimately possess.

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Rules created by executive agencies or regulatory bodies that have the force of law, even though they're not passed by legislatures. It's how unelected bureaucrats get to tell you what you can and can't do, usually in excruciating detail. The federal government has approximately 47 million pages of these, give or take.

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The punishment a judge hands down after you've been convicted—hopefully not as severe as the one your mother gave you. The legal consequence of getting caught.

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nuisance

Either that annoying neighbor or, in legal terms, conduct so harmful or offensive to the community you can actually sue over it. The difference between 'ugh, I'm annoyed' and 'ugh, I'm calling my lawyer.'

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