Erroneous Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Erroneous?

adj. 1) in error, wrong. 2) not according to established law, particularly in a legal decision or court ruling.

History and Meaning of Erroneous

The term "erroneous" stems from the Latin word "errare," which means "to wander" or "to stray." In modern use, the term is used to describe something that is wrong, mistaken, or not according to established law.

In a legal context, an erroneous decision or ruling is one that has been made incorrectly, either by a judge or other legal authority. This can happen due to mistakes in interpreting the law, misinterpretations of evidence, or other errors in judgment.

Examples of Erroneous

  1. The court made an erroneous ruling based on an incorrect interpretation of the law.
  2. The attorney's argument was deemed erroneous by the judge and was dismissed.
  3. The witness's testimony was found to be erroneous after further investigation revealed contradictory evidence.
  4. The company's financial reports contained numerous erroneous calculations that had to be corrected.
  5. Due to an erroneous entry in the computer system, the customer received an incorrect billing statement.

Legal Terms Similar to Erroneous

  1. Mistake of Law: This term refers to a legal error made by someone who has a mistaken belief about what the law requires.

  2. Misrepresentation: Misrepresentation occurs when someone makes a false statement that causes another person to take an action that they would not have taken otherwise.

  3. Negligence: Negligence is a failure to exercise the care and attention that a reasonable person would use in a particular situation, which results in harm or damage.