1. error n. 1. An assertion or belief that does not conform to objective reality; a belief that what is false is true or that what is true is false; MISTAKE.
   1. CLEAR ERROR
      1. clear error. A trial judge's decision or action that appears to a reviewing court to have been unquestionably erroneous. Even though a clear error occurred, it may not warrant reversal. [Cases: Appeal and Error 999(1), 1008.1(5). C.J.S. Appeal and Error §§ 784, 805, 810.]
         1. CLERICAL ERROR
            1. clerical error. An error resulting from a minor mistake or inadvertence, esp. in writing or copying something on the record, and not from judicial reasoning or determination. Among the boundless examples of clerical errors are omitting an appendix from a document; typing an incorrect number; mistranscribing a word; and failing to log a call. A court can correct a clerical error at any time, even after judgment has been entered. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(a); Fed. R. Crim. P. 36. — Also termed scrivener's error; vitium clerici. See VITIUM SCRIPTORIS. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure 2653; Judgment 306. C.J.S. Judgments §§ 280–281.]
            2. CUMULATIVE ERROR
            3. cumulative error. The prejudicial effect of two or more trial errors that may have been harmless individually. The cumulative effect of multiple harmless errors may amount to reversible error. See CUMULATIVE-ERROR ANALYSIS See REISSUABLE ERROR.
            4. Map made by Lisa Stinocher O'Hanlon using XMind software. 03.05.2013 http://www.xmind.net/share/hennalady/
2. 2. A mistake of law or of fact in a tribunal's judgment, opinion, or order. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure 2653; Judgment 355–356. C.J.S. Judgments §§ 314–315.]
   1. SUBSTANTIAL ERROR
      1. substantial error. An error that affects a party's substantive rights or the outcome of the case. A substantial error may require reversal on appeal. Cf. harmless error. technical error. See harmless error.
         1. REVERSIBLE ERROR
            1. reversible error. An error that affects a party's substantive rights or the case's outcome, and thus is grounds for reversal if the party properly objected. — Also termed harmful error; prejudicial error; fatal error. [Cases: Administrative Law and Procedure 764; Appeal and Error 1025–1074; Criminal Law 1162. C.J.S. Appeal and Error §§ 825–830; Criminal Law §§ 1713–1715; Juries §§ 421–422; Justices of the Peace § 240; Public Administrative Law and Procedure § 225.]
            2. PLAIN ERROR
            3. plain error. An error that is so obvious and prejudicial that an appellate court should address it despite the parties' failure to raise a proper objection. A plain error is often said to be so obvious and substantial that failure to correct it would infringe a party's due-process rights and damage the integrity of the judicial process. See Fed. R. Evid. 103(d). — Also termed fundamental error; error apparent of record. [Cases: Appeal and Error 181; Criminal Law 1030. C.J.S. Appeal and Error §§ 202, 207; Criminal Law § 1682.]
   2. MANIFEST ERROR
      1. manifest error. An error that is plain and indisputable, and that amounts to a complete disregard of the controlling law or the credible evidence in the record. [Cases: Appeal and Error 999(1), 1008.1(7). C.J.S. Appeal and Error §§ 784, 805, 810.] See OBVIOUS ERROR.
         1. MANIFEST CONSTITUTIONAL ERROR
            1. manifest constitutional error. An error by the trial court that has an identifiably negative impact on the trial to such a degree that the constitutional rights of a party are compromised. A manifest constitutional error can be reviewed by a court of appeals even if the appellant did not object at trial.
            2. INVITED ERROR
            3. invited error. An error that a party cannot complain of on appeal because the party, through conduct, encouraged or prompted the trial court to make the erroneous ruling. [Cases: Administrative Law and Procedure 742; Appeal and Error 882; Criminal Law 1137. C.J.S. Appeal and Error §§ 745–747; Public Administrative Law and Procedure § 214.]
            4. HARMLESS ERROR
            5. harmless errors See ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR. A harmless error is not grounds for reversal. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 61; Fed. R. Crim. P. 52. — Also termed technical error; error in vacuo. Cf. substantial error. [Cases: Administrative Law and Procedure 764; Appeal and Error 1025–1074. C.J.S. Appeal and Error §§ 825–830; Juries §§ 421–422; Justices of the Peace § 240; Public Administrative Law and Procedure § 225.]