Gale Encyclopedia of American Law Volume 3 P47 fully illuminates today's leading cases, major statutes, legal terms and concepts, notable persons involved with the law, important documents and more. Legal issues are fully discussed in easy-to-understand language, including such high-profile topics as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, physician-assisted suicide and thousands more. | 448 DETRIMENT DETRIMENT Any loss or harm to a person or property relinquishment of a legal right benefit or something of value. Detriment is most frequently applied to contract formation since it is an essential element of consideration which is a prerequisite of a legally enforceable contract. To incur detriment means to cement a promise by either refraining from doing something that one has a legal right to do or by doing something that one is not under any legal obligation to do. V DEVENS CHARLES Charles devens was born April 4 1820 in Charlestown Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1838 and received a doctor of laws degree in 1877. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1840 and began a career that encompassed military and legal achievements. Devens participated in the Massachusetts Senate during 1848 and 1849 followed by service as . marshal from 1849 to 1853. He acted as solicitor for the city of Worcester Massachusetts from 1856 to 1858 and then left government service to pursue a military career in 1861. The Civil War provided Devens with many opportunities to display his military expertise. He fought for the Union in three major Virginia battles fought at Fredericksburg Chancellorville and Cold Harbor earning the rank of major general. in 1867 he began his judicial career and served as judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court. In 1873 he was appointed to the bench of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. He began service to the federal government in 1877 as attorney general under President rutherford b. hayes a post he held until 1881. An army post Camp Devens in Ayer Massachusetts was named for Charles Devens in recognition of his military accomplishments. Devens died January 7 1891 in Boston. DEVIANCE Conspicuous dissimilarity with or variation from customarily acceptable behavior. Deviance implies a lack of compliance to societal norms such as by engaging in activities that are frowned upon by society and frequently have legal .
