In a police report, the abbreviation "w/m" can have different meanings depending on the specific context. The two most common interpretations are white male and, in legal or court-related documents, a potential shorthand for Waiver by the Magistrate.
1. Common Interpretation: White Male
The most frequent use of "w/m" in police reports is to concisely describe an individual's race and gender for identification purposes.
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Meaning: White Male
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Usage: This abbreviation is widely employed in incident descriptions, suspect descriptions, witness statements, and investigative notes to quickly categorize individuals. It serves as a brief demographic shorthand, enhancing the conciseness of official documentation.
- Examples in a report:
- "Suspect described as a w/m, approximately 5'10", wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans."
- "Witness stated the subject who fled the scene was a w/m in his 30s with short, dark hair."
- "During the traffic stop, the driver was identified as a w/m, showing valid identification."
- Examples in a report:
2. Legal/Procedural Interpretation: Waiver by the Magistrate (WM)
While the exact "w/m" spelling is less common in this context, it could be a shorthand or typographical variation of "WM," which holds a specific meaning in legal and court disposition records that often accompany or stem from police reports.
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Meaning: Waiver by the Magistrate
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Usage: In formal court and legal documentation, particularly within sections detailing the disposition or procedural steps of a case, "WM" signifies a legal action where an individual formally relinquishes certain rights or a specific process before a magistrate. This pertains to how a case advances through the judicial system.
- For instance, in official court or clerk's abbreviations, "WM" is formally defined as:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WM | WAIVER BY THE MAGISTRATE |
* This type of entry might appear when documenting an accused person's decision to forego a preliminary hearing, or other procedural steps that would typically occur before a magistrate. Such waivers can streamline legal proceedings and are a formal component of the case's official record. Other related waivers include "WC" for *Waiver by the Clerk* or "WE" for *Waiver of Extradition*.To accurately determine the precise meaning of "w/m," it is crucial to consider the specific section of the police report where it appears and the overall context of the narrative or legal documentation.
