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BAC: Blood alcohol content. In most
states, alcohol level may be determined by reference
to breathe alcohol level as well, without having to
convert to blood alcohol level.
Bad Faith: Dishonesty or fraud in a
transaction, such as entering into an agreement with
no intention of ever living up to its terms or
knowingly misrepresenting the quality of something
that is being bought or sold.
BAL: Breath alcohol level or blood alcohol
level. Today, many states will allow the prosecutor
to try to prove the defendant's guilt by direct
reference to the breath alcohol level, rather than
having to convert the breath alcohol level to blood
alcohol level.
Bench Trial: Also called court trial. A
trial held before a judge and without a jury.
Bifurcation: Splitting a trial into two
parts: a liability phase and a penalty phase. In
some cases, a new jury may be impaneled to
deliberate for the penalty phase.
Blood Alcohol Content/Level (BAC): The
amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. The legal
limit is .08% in Massachusetts and most states. For
someone under 21, the legal limit is .02%.
Bodily Injury Liability: A legal liability
that may arise as a result of the injury or death of
another person.
Bond: A document with which one party
promises to pay another within a specified amount of
time. Bonds are used for many things, including
borrowing money or guaranteeing payment of money.
Breach of Warranty: Takes place when a
seller fails to uphold a claim or promise about a
product. The law expects companies to stand by their
assertions and fulfill any obligations made to
customers.
Brief: A written document that outlines a
party's legal arguments in a case.
Burden of Proof: The duty of a party in a
lawsuit to persuade the judge or the jury that
enough facts exist to prove the allegations of the
case. Different levels of proof are required
depending on the type of case.
Business Liability: The term used to
describe the liability coverages provided by the
Business owners Liability Coverage Form. It includes
liability for bodily injury, death, property damage,
personal injury, advertising injury, and fire
damage.
