Latin for Lawyers

OBSTANTE

ual loss of economic value and utility of an asset, caused by factors other than its own deterioration. Obsolescense has a different meaning than deprecia tion. See DEPRECIATION OBSTANTE [L. obstinare / to stand out, stand in the way (of)] In opposition to; impeding. See NON OBSTANTE VEREDICTO OBSTRUCT [L. ob / in front of, in the way of + struere / to build, erect] To block, hinder, impede. To obstruct navigation is to prevent vessels from going where they have the normal right and ability to go. To obstruct justice is to commit any act which impedes another from obtaining free access to the courts or which impedes the conduct of their office by judges, prosecutors, court officers or others involved in the administration of the legal system. OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE Interference with the process by which crime is investigated and prosecuted or by which any litigation proceeds through the courts. Interference with the police process or with the conduct of criminal litigation, especially by threat ening, influencing or tampering with witnesses or jurors, or by furnishing false information to the police or prosecutors, or by wrongfully influencing the court. Any act which impedes the parties in their conduct of an action or which obstructs persons who have duties in connection with the courts. The acts constituting the crime of obstruction of justice are defined in 18 U.S.C.A. §1501 et seq. One of the counts upon which President Clinton was impeached in 1998 was the charge of obstruction of justice . OCCUPANCY [L. occupare ] The act of possessing or having control or dominion over a thing or of a par cel of land. The use which is made of real property. The condition of being completely filled or fully utilized, as in, this restaurant is limited to occu pancy by 75 persons. OCCUPATION [L. occupo , occupare / to seize, take possession of in a hostile way] Possession to the exclusion of others. One’s vocation, trade or profession. An activity which takes up one’s time to the exclusion of other activities. OCCUPAVIT [L. occupare ] Literally, he took possession. A writ which was available for the recovery of land which had been seized in war or battle.

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