Legal Definitions - Rhadamanthine

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.