John Doe (legal fiction)

A legal fiction is a legal assumption or concept used by courts to treat something as true, even if it might not be in reality. "John Doe" is a common example, representing an unidentified or anonymous party in legal cases. When someone is referred to as "John Doe," it allows courts to proceed with legal actions without knowing the person's real name initially. This fictional name helps in protecting identities or addressing unknown or future defendants, and is used until the actual identity can be revealed or determined.