Also known as: common law · civil law
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An abbreviation for common law, the body of law derived from judicial decisions and custom rather than statutes.
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Claire Campbell drove her car at high speed through a residential neighborhood while intoxicated. She struck and killed a pedestrian who was crossing the street. The prosecution charged involuntary manslaughter on the theory that her conduct constituted criminal negligence causing death.
Camila Cervantes sued Crestview Holdings for breach of a construction contract seeking $85,000 in damages. Crestview demanded a jury trial. The court recognized the right to a jury because the suit was at common law and the amount in controversy exceeded twenty dollars.
Christine Castro, a resident of County B, filed a petition to adopt a child. The court dismissed the petition because state law requires the petitioner to reside in the county where the adoption petition is filed.
Cynthia Cortez discovered her spouse in the act of adultery and immediately killed the spouse's partner. The jury found adequate provocation and a reasonable cooling-off period had not elapsed, reducing the charge from murder to voluntary manslaughter.
Charles Cunningham, age seventeen, purchased a motorcycle from Cobalt Energy. Two weeks later he returned the motorcycle and demanded his money back. The dealer had to refund the purchase price because the minor exercised the right to disaffirm the contract.
Carmen Choi committed arson on an abandoned building that was not occupied. The fire spread and caused the death of a responding firefighter. The resulting homicide was charged as involuntary manslaughter under the unlawful-act theory.
CL stands for common law, the body of law derived from judicial decisions and custom rather than statutes.
Supporting sources
…weights of the respective interests involved, with the lessons and examples of medical and legal history, with the lenity of the common law, and with the demands of the profound problems of the present day. The decision leaves the State free to place increasing restrictions on abortion as the period of pregnancy lengthens, so…