Deliberate

Depending on how it is pronounced, deliberate may either be a verb or an adjective.

When pronounced as "deh-LIH-ber-uht," it is a descriptive term meaning "purposeful;" it is an antonym for "accidental."

Call us at (888) 360-4215 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal

For example, when one person injures another by beating them with a baseball bat, the action is considered to be deliberate. If this person injured the second party in the course of a game by carelessly tossing the bat after hitting the ball and making the run, it would be considered accidental. S/he may still be held liable under civil law however, should the victim choose to file suit.

When pronounced as "dee-LIH-ber-ate" (rhyming with "eight"), it means to consider a matter carefully. For example, when a judge is called upon to issue a ruling in a particularly difficult and complex case, s/he may retire to his/her chambers to deliberate over the decision. When a jury retires from the court to consider evidence and issue a ruling (called a "verdict" in criminal trials), it is said to be in deliberation. Again, this deliberation can take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks, or even months depending on the issue(s), the amount of evidence to consider, and the complexity of the case.

If a jury is unable to make a decision, the jury is considered "hung," and the judge will declare a mistrial. In this case, a new jury is selected and the case is retried. In criminal cases, a jury verdict is required to be unanimous; however, in civil litigation, there needs only be a majority consensus. Some jurisdictions give parties to a court action a choice between a six-person and a twelve-person jury; since a larger number of people increases the chances of dissension, the counsel for the defense - whether representing an accused criminal or the defendant of a civil action - will lobby for the larger number of jurors, since a hung jury, while less desirable than a favorable ruling, is preferable to losing a case altogether.

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Related Glossary of Legal Terms

Oncologist Reviewed badge

Oncologist Reviewed Content

"Unlike most asbestos or mesothelioma related sites on the web, most of the medical content on Asbestos.net has been reviewed by a certified practicing oncologist." - Michael T. Milano, M.D., Ph.D.

Sokolove Law 24 Hour Promise

If we think that a mesothelioma lawyer can move forward with your case, we'll begin immediately - at no cost to you.

Ban Asbestos Now!

Help the cause and get asbestos banned today! Visit our site to write Congress, share your story and read others, and pass this campaign on to others.