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Simple English definitions for legal terms
clerical error
Read a random definition: avoidable-consequences doctrine
A quick definition of clerical error:
A clerical error is a small mistake made when writing or copying something down, like typing the wrong number or misspelling a word. It's not a big mistake that affects the outcome of a case. Courts can fix clerical errors even after a judgment has been made. It's like when you accidentally write the wrong letter in a word and then go back to fix it.A more thorough explanation:
A clerical error is a mistake made due to a minor error or oversight, usually in writing or copying something on a record. It is not a mistake made due to judicial reasoning or determination. For example, a clerical error can be omitting an appendix from a document, typing an incorrect number, mistranscribing a word, or failing to log a call.
A court can correct a clerical error at any time, even after judgment has been entered. This means that if a mistake is made in a court document, it can be fixed without having to go through the entire legal process again.
For instance, if a court document mistakenly lists the wrong date for a hearing, it can be corrected by the court without having to reschedule the hearing. This is because it is a minor mistake that does not affect the outcome of the case.