In a legal context, a sanction typically refers to a penalty or punitive measure imposed by a court or other authoritative body in response to a violation of law or regulation. Sanctions can take various forms, including fines, restrictions, loss of privileges, or even criminal charges. They serve as a deterrent to discourage future misconduct and promote compliance with legal standards. Sanctions may also be used in diplomatic or international relations to enforce compliance with agreements or resolutions.
- a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a party or attorney for violation of a court rule, for receiving a special waiver of a rule, or as a fine for contempt of court. If a fine, the sanction may be paid to the court or to the opposing party to compensate the other side for inconvenience or added legal work due to the rule violation. Examples: a) under local rules Bagatelle's attorney is required to file a brief in response to the opposition's motion five days before the hearing, but is two days late. The judge accepts the documents, but imposes a $200 sanction on Bagatelle's attorney for the failure to file them on time. b) Campbell's lawyer wants to include a newly found expert in his list of witnesses, but the date for adding to the list has passed. The judge permits the added witness, but allows the opposition to take the expert's deposition, and imposes a sanction (fine) on Campbell to pay both sides' costs of the deposition and $500 attorney's fees to the opposing counsel. c) Defendant Danny Dipper says "you son-of-a-bitch" in court when the judge fines him $100 for jay-walking. The judge imposes a sanction of $200 and a day in jail for Danny's contempt of court.
- v. to impose a fine or penalty as part of a judge's duty to maintain both order and fairness in court.
- v. in international law, to impose economic constraints on trade against a country that violates international law or is guilty of human rights violations.
- v. to allow or approve. This meaning is ironically in contrast to the other definitions of "sanction.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
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