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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Rhadamanthine
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A quick definition of Rhadamanthine:
Term: Rhadamanthine
Definition: When a judge is very strict and follows the law exactly as it is written. This means they don't make exceptions or consider special circumstances. For example, if someone owes money to the government and the government has the right to take their property, a rhadamanthine judge would say the government can take the property no matter what. However, sometimes judges decide to be more flexible and consider what is fair and just in each situation.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A judge’s strict and rigid interpretation or application of the law.
For example, if a judge were to apply the law without any consideration for the circumstances of the case, they would be considered rhadamanthine. In the case of In re Bevan, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals avoided a rigid interpretation of Congress’s intent in granting the IRS a right of redemption. The court reasoned that it would be unfair to allow one party to benefit at the expense of another.
Example: A judge who always imposes the maximum sentence for a crime, regardless of the circumstances, would be considered rhadamanthine. This type of judge would not take into account any mitigating factors, such as the defendant's age or prior criminal record.
Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of rhadamanthine because the judge is applying the law in a strict and rigid manner, without considering any factors that might justify a lesser sentence. This type of judge would be seen as inflexible and lacking in compassion.