Harmless Error Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Harmless Error?

(n) Harmless error is the error entered in a legal proceeding which was not significant to influence the outcome or opinion from the opinion arrived if the mistake was not there. Harmless errors when detected may not influence a higher court to reverse the opinion of the lower court