| Habeas
corpus |
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The Constitution of the United States
states that the privilege of habeas corpus cannot be suspended. In
this context, habeas corpus means that a person held in jail or
prison has the right to make the authority holding the person
justify the imprisonment. The prisoner may ask for a hearing in
which a court determines that the proceeding, which resulted in the
person being restrained, was fair and lawful. |
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| Habitability |
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The extent to which a dwelling is fit for
residential use. In a residential lease, a warranty of habitability
means that the landlord promises that the premises will be
reasonably fit for occupation. |
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| Harassment |
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Words, such as threats, taunts or abusive
language, and actions, such as offensive gestures, directed against
a person which serve no legitimate purpose and tend to distress the
listener. See Sexual harassment. |
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| Head of
household |
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Under the Internal Revenue Code, a head of
household is person who maintains a house in which dependent
children, stepchildren or parents live. |
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| Hearing |
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A court proceeding in which the court
receives evidence. |
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| Hearsay rule |
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A rule of evidence that generally prohibits
a person from providing testimony based upon what that person has
been told or learned secondhand. Instead, the rules of evidence
favor testimony based upon a person's own observations. |
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| Heirs |
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The persons who, by law or by will, are
entitled to take the property of one who dies. |
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| Holding
Company |
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A company created primarily for the purpose
of owning the stock of other corporations |
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| Homestead |
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A family's home and the immediately
adjoining land, which is generally protected under bankruptcy and
similar statutes from being sold to satisfy a debt. |
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| Homicide |
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Any killing of a human being at the hand of
another is a homicide. The killing may be a crime, such as murder if
the killing is intentional, or manslaughter, if the killing is
reckless or negligent. Other homicides, such as in self-defense or
in war, are not considered criminal acts. |
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| Hung jury |
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A jury that fails to reach a verdict. |
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