C. A fictitious name used in legal proceedings to designate a person whose identity is unknown.
Listen
to pronunciation.Legal Definition -
A fictitious name used in legal proceedings to designate a person whose identity is unknown, to protect a person's known identity, or to indicate that a true defendant does not exist.
Black's Law Dictionary® Eighth Edition © 2004
Editor's Note -
Richard Roe is also used to designate such a person. Jane Doe or Jane Roe is used for women, like in the landmark U.S. abortion rights case Roe v. Wade. The name Jane Roe was used to protect the identity of the plaintiff.
The name John Doe is often used in popular culture to refer to an unknown person. A famous example is the Frank Capra film Meet John Doe.
Recent Usage -
"Six Muslim men removed from a plane last fall after being accused of suspicious behavior are suing the airline and threatening to sue the passengers who complained — a move some fear could discourage travelers from speaking up when they see something unusual.
The civil rights lawsuit, filed earlier this month, has so alarmed some lawyers that they are offering to defend the unnamed “John Doe” passengers free of charge. They say it is vital that the flying public be able to report suspicious behavior without fear of being dragged into court." AP March 30,2007 Read more...