Also known as: times · timing
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A measure of duration or a specific point or period at which an event occurs or a legal requirement applies.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Tara Tran grabs a wallet from Theo Thomas at a bus stop. She forms the plan to keep the cash only after opening it later that night. Because the intent to permanently deprive must exist at the moment of the taking, the larceny charge fails.
Theresa Tucker invents a new battery and seeks protection under federal power. Congress grants exclusive rights for a limited period measured in years from the filing date. The fixed duration balances innovation incentives against public access.
Tonya Takahashi receives a court order requiring a reply to an answer. She must serve the reply within twenty-one days after service of the order. Missing this window bars the reply absent a different time specified by the court.
Tabitha Taylor, a sitting judge, accepts a campaign contribution from a frequent litigant. She must act at all times to promote public confidence in judicial impartiality. The ongoing duty requires avoiding even the appearance of favoritism.
Tiffany Torres, a former government lawyer, learns confidential details about a company while in public service. She later seeks to represent a rival client adverse to that company. The prohibition applies when the information could disadvantage the subject at the time of the new representation.
Trinity Pharmaceuticals receives a conveyance of land terminable upon an event certain to occur but not within any fixed period. The interest lacks a computable end date measured by lives or calendar time. The estate therefore fails to satisfy the rule against perpetuities.
The intent must exist at the precise moment of the taking. Later formation of intent does not satisfy the element even if the defendant ultimately keeps the property.
The period begins upon service of the order to reply and runs for twenty-one days unless the order itself sets a different deadline.
The duty to promote public confidence in judicial integrity applies at all times, including both on and off the bench.
…General, having been summoned and called, objected to answering and requested the questions be put in writing and that he have time to determine whether he would answer. He had been acting as Secretary of State at the time and opined he was not bound to answer as to facts which came officially to his knowledge while so…