Legal Definitions - absque hoc

Term: absque hoc
Definition: Absque hoc is an old legal term that means "without this." It was used in the past to deny allegations in common-law pleading. For example, if someone accused you of stealing, you could say "I did not steal absque hoc," meaning you did not steal without any other circumstances or conditions. Example: In a court case, the defendant might say "I did not commit the crime absque hoc," meaning they did not commit the crime without any other factors involved. Explanation: The example illustrates the definition of absque hoc by showing how it was used in legal language to deny allegations. The defendant is saying they did not commit the crime without any other circumstances or conditions.