Deliberate Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Deliberate, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Deliberate?

1\) adj. premeditated, done with intention and care. 2) v. When members of a jury, a panel of judges or group such as the legislature considers the facts, the laws, and/or other matters.

History and Meaning of Deliberate

The term "deliberate" comes from the Latin word "deliberatus," which means "considered." In contemporary English, it is used as both an adjective and a verb. As an adjective, it refers to something that is done intentionally and with care. As a verb, it refers to the process of carefully and intentionally considering all factors before making a decision.

In the legal context, a deliberate act is one that is planned and carried out with intent. The term indicates that the individual or group involved in the act knew what they were doing and purposefully chose to do it. Deliberation is also used in jury trials, where the members of the jury take the time to consider all the evidence presented to them before reaching a decision.

Examples of Deliberate

  1. The defendant's deliberate actions indicated that they had intended to harm the victim.
  2. The company made a deliberate decision to cut costs by laying off employees.
  3. The jury spent hours deliberating before reaching a verdict.
  4. The new policy was the result of deliberate planning and careful consideration.
  5. The deliberate destruction of evidence is a criminal offense.

Legal Terms Similar to Deliberate

  1. Intentional: Similar to deliberate, intentional refers to an action that is done with a specific purpose in mind.
  2. Pre-meditated: Used primarily in the context of criminal law, premeditated refers to a crime that was planned in advance.
  3. Willful: Similar to deliberate, willful indicates that a person acted intentionally and purposefully.