Legal Definitions - abnormal law

Abnormal Law

Abnormal law refers to the legal rules that apply to individuals who are under legal disabilities such as infancy, alienage, insanity, criminality, and (formerly) coverture.

• An infant who commits a crime cannot be held fully responsible for their actions due to their age.
• An alien who is not a citizen of a country may have limited rights and protections under the law.
• A person who is deemed legally insane may not be held responsible for their actions in a criminal case.
• A person who is convicted of a crime may have certain legal disabilities, such as the loss of the right to vote or own a firearm.
• Formerly, a married woman was considered under the legal disability of coverture, meaning she had limited legal rights and was essentially under the control of her husband.

Abnormal law deals with situations where individuals have legal disabilities that affect their rights and responsibilities under the law. The examples illustrate how different legal disabilities can impact a person's legal status and how the law may treat them differently as a result. For example, an infant who commits a crime may not be held fully responsible due to their age, while a person who is convicted of a crime may face legal disabilities such as the loss of certain rights and privileges. Understanding abnormal law is important for ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and justly under the law, regardless of their legal status or disabilities.