A legal defense in which a senior executive claims ignorance of fraudulent or otherwise unlawful practices within their company. Famously coined during the 2005 trial of Bernie Ebbers, founder of WorldCom.
A Directed Verdict is a verdict rendered by a jury at the direction of the trial judge. This usually occurs when one party has not met the legal requirements to proceed with their case or defense.
Duress refers to a situation where one party is compelled to act contrary to their free will due to improper threats, violence, or other forms of coercion. It can serve as a defense in cases of crime, breach of contract, or tort.
Exculpatory pertains to evidence or statements that justify or excuse a defendant from alleged fault or guilt. It can also refer to clauses in financial and legal documents that release a party from liability.
The term 'justifiable' refers to actions or behaviors that are deemed defensible or acceptable under specific circumstances, whether in legal, ethical, or practical contexts. It applies to situations where facts or conditions provide a valid reason for actions that may otherwise be seen as unacceptable or unlawful.
Nolo Contendere, or 'no contest,' is a legal term indicating that a defendant will not contest a charge made by the government. The defendant loses the case, but this cannot be used as an admission of guilt in any other legal proceedings.
