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variance

Defined in 8 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Stimson (1881), Abbott (1879)

Definitions from Case Law

From 295 U.S. 78 - Berger v. United States · 1935Most cited · 8,809 citing opinions

The general rule that allegations and proof must correspond is based upon the obvious requirements (1) that the accused shall be definitely informed as to the charges against him, so that he may be enabled to present his defense and not be taken by surprise by the evidence offered at the trial; and (2) that he may be protected against another prosecution for the same offense.

Show all 7 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1812–1935

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

In pleading and practice. A disagreement or difference^ between two parts of the same legal proceeding which ought to agree together. Variances are between the writ and the declaration, and between the declaration, or bill in equity, and the evidence. VARRANTIZATIO (Law Lat.)

In old Scotch law. Warranty. Craig, de Jur. Feud. 152. VAS (Lat.)

In the civil law. A pledge; a surety; one who became bail or surety for another in a criminal proceeding or civil action. Calv. Lex. The plural, vades (q. v.), was more commonly used. VASALLUS (Law Lat.)

In feudal law. A vassal; the grantee of a fief; a feudatory. Feud. lib. 1, tit. 26; Id. lib. 2, tit. 2 et passim. Skene writes the word vassdttus. VASLETTUS (Law Lat.) A valet or ward. Cowell; Spelman.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A substantial discrepancy between a pleading and the evidence offered in support of it. See 11 N. J. L. 293.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

A disagreement or difference between two parts of the same legal proceeding which ought to agree together. Variances are between the writ and the declaration, and between the declaration, or bill in equity, and the evidence. Variance in matter of substance is fatal to the action; Stephenson v. Mansony, 4 Ala. 3J9; Lawrence v. Knies, 10 Johns. (N. Y.) 141; and is ground for demurrer or arrest of judgment; Wilbur v. Brown, 3 Den. (N. Y.) 356; Christian Bank v. Greenfield, 7 T. B. Monr. (Ky.) 290; but if in matter of form merely, must be pleaded in abatement; Humphreys v. Collier, Breese (111.) 298; How v. Mc Kinney, 1 Mc Lean 319, Fed. Cas. No. 8,749; or special demurrer; Sargent v. Hayne, 2 Hill (S. C.) 585; and a variance between the allegations and evidence upon some material points only is as fatal as if upon all; 7 Taunt. 385; but, if it be merely formal or immaterial matter, will be disregarded; Ferguson v. Harwood, 7 Cra. (U. S.) 408, 3 I* Ed. 386. The court may allow a troducing any other cause of action or affecting the merits of the case between the parties; Gormley v. Bunyan, 138 U. S. 623, 11 Sup. Ct 453, 34 L. Ed. 1086. Slight variance from the terms of a written instrument which is professedly set out in the words themselves is fatal; Ilampst. 294. It is too late after plea to take advantage of a variance between the description In the writ and the declaration of property replevied; Reeder v. Moore, 95 Mich. 594, 55 N. W. 436. Where, in an action on a contract, the pleader did not set out the exact words of the contract, and a different contract expressed in different words was proved, there is no real variance, as the difference between the declaration and the proofs must be real and tangible to constitute a variance; Beckwith v. Thompson, 63 Fed. 232, 11

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In pleading and practice. A discrepancy or disagreement between two instruments or two steps in the same cause, which ought by law to be entirely consonant Thus, lf the evidence adduced by the plaintiff does not agree with the allegations of hls declaration, it is a variance; and so if the statement of the cause of action in the declaration does not coincide with that given in the writ See Keiser v. Topping, 72 III. 229; Mulligan v. U. S., 120 Fed. 98, 56 C. a A. 50; Bank of New Brunswick v. Arrowsmith, 9 N. J. Law, 287; Skinner v. Grant, 12 Vt 462; State v. Wadsworth, 30 Conn. 57.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

A discrepancy between the statement of the cause of action in the writ and the statement in the declaration; a discrepancy between an averment in pleading and the evidence adduced to prove it

Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law

Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881

A discrepancy between the statement of the cause of statement in a pleading and the evidence adduced in support of it.

Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence

Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879

A difference, inconsistency, or variation between the evidence adduced and the allegation in pleading in support of which the evidence is offered, or between the intimation of the cause of action given in a writ and the cause as shown in the declaration.