ERROR


A mistaken judgment or incorrect belief as to the existence or effect of matters of fact, or a false or mistaken conception or application of the law.Such a mistaken or false conception or application of the law to the facts of a cause as will furnish ground for a review of the proceedings upon a writ of error; a mistake of law, or false or irregular application of it, such as vitiates the proceedings and warrants the reversal of the judgment. Error is also used as an elliptical expression for “writ of error;” as in saying that error lies; that a judgment may be reversed on error. Black Law Dictionary

In general, an error is a mistake or a misconception.

In legal contexts, an error is either a mistake of fact or a mistake of law. In general, a mistake of law will nullify or reverse a judgment in the case. On the other hand, the mistake of fact that a judge or jury relied on to reach a decision or verdict may or may not warrant reversal. A harmless error in court proceedings is one that does not, despite its occurring, affect or change the case’s final result. Wex Definitions Project


“It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error”
American Communications Association v. Douds, 339 U.S. 382, 442 (1950)