Define: Harmless Error

Harmless Error
Harmless Error
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Quick Summary of Harmless Error

Harmless error is a legal doctrine that allows courts to overlook minor mistakes or errors made during legal proceedings if they are determined to have had no significant impact on the outcome of the case or the rights of the parties involved. Even if errors occurred during a trial, such as procedural missteps, evidentiary rulings, or mistakes in jury instructions, they may be deemed harmless if they are considered to be inconsequential or unlikely to have affected the fairness of the trial or the integrity of the verdict. Courts apply the harmless error doctrine to avoid overturning verdicts or judgements for technicalities that did not prejudice the outcome or undermine the fundamental fairness of the proceedings. However, whether an error is considered harmless depends on the specific circumstances of each case and the potential impact of the error on the rights of the parties. Courts may conduct a harmless error analysis to assess the nature and significance of the error and determine its effect on the outcome of the case. If an error is found to be harmless, the court may uphold the verdict or judgement despite the mistake.

What is the dictionary definition of Harmless Error?
Dictionary Definition of Harmless Error
n. an error by a judge in the conduct of a trial which an appellate court finds is not sufficient for it to reverse or modify the lower court's judgment at trial. Harmless error would include: a technical error which has no bearing on the outcome of the trial, an error that was corrected (such as allowing testimony and then ordering it stricken and admonishing the jury to ignore it), the issue affected by the error was found in the appellant's favor (such as hearsay evidence on premeditation, but the jury found no premeditation), and the appeals court's view that even though there were errors the appealing party could not have won in trial in any event. This last gives the appeals court broad latitude to rule that errors were not significant. It is frustrating to appealing parties and their attorneys for the appeals court to rule that there were indeed several errors, and then say: "However, they appear to be harmless.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.

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