Definition
The destruction or material alteration of evidence, intentionally or negligently. It's basically destroying evidence, and judges are not fans of this practice.
Example Usage
The defendant's deliberate deletion of emails constituted spoliation, resulting in an adverse inference instruction.
Origin
From Latin 'spoliare,' meaning to strip or plunder
Fun Fact
Courts can impose severe sanctions for spoliation, including defaulting the entire case against the evidence destroyer—talk about consequences.
Source: Evidence and civil procedure law
Related Terms
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See “Spoliation” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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