Dictionary Search: "Corrupt" - Pakistan Law Portal

Corrupt

vb. 1. Archaic. To impose corruption of blood on (a person). 2. To change (a person's morals or principles) from good to bad.

Corruption

1 Depravity, perversion, or taint; an impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle; esp., the impairment of a public official's duties by bribery. "The word 'corruption' indicates impurity or debasement and when found in the criminal law it means depravity or gross impropriety." Rollin M. Perkins & Ronald N. Boyce, Criminal Law 855 (3d ed. 1982). 2. The act of doing something with an intent to give some advantage inconsistent with official duty and the rights of others; a fiduciary's or official's use of a station or office to procure some benefit either personally or for someone else, contrary to the rights of others.

Corruptly

adv. In a corrupt or depraved manner; by means of corruption or bribery. ( As used in criminal-law statutes, corruptly usu. indicates a wrongful desire for pecuniary gain or other advantage.

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

A law designed to attack organized criminal activity and preserve marketplace integrity by investigating, controlling, and prosecuting persons who participate or conspire to participate in racketeering. ( Enacted in 1970, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) applies only to activity involving interstate or foreign commerce. 18 USCA §§ 1961-1968. Since then, many states have adopted laws (sometimes called "little RICO" acts) based on the federal statute. The federal and most state RICO acts provide for enforcement not only by criminal prosecution but also by civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff can sue for treble damages.

blood, corruption of the.

See CORRUPTION OF BLOOD.

corrupt-motive doctrine

Criminal law. The rule that conspiracy is punishable only if the agreement was entered into with an evil purpose, not merely with an intent to do the illegal act. ( This doctrine - which originated in People v. Powell, 63 N.Y. 88 (1875) - has been rejected by the Model Penal Code. - Also termed Powell doctrine.

corrupt-practices act

A federal or state statute that regulates campaign contributions and expenditures as well as their disclosure. "Corruption of blood is, when any one is attainted of felony or treason, then his blood is said to be corrupt; by means whereof neither his children, nor any of his blood, can be heirs to him, or to any other ancestor, for that they ought to claim by him. And if he were a noble or gentleman before, he and all his children are made thereby ignoble and ungentle . . . ." Termes de la Ley 125 (1st Am. ed. 1812).

corruption in office

See official misconduct under MISCONDUCT.

corruption of blood

A defunct doctrine, now considered unconstitutional, under which a person loses the ability to inherit or pass property as a result of an attainder or of being declared civilly dead. - Also termed corruption of the blood. See ATTAINDER; CIVIL DEATH.

official corruption.