Word: attaint
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Dangerous Gamble. Jurors are not expected to buck directed verdicts. But in days gone by, they took more of a risk than did Solana. In 16th century England, the remote ancestor of today's directed verdict was called a writ of attaint; under it a judge could refuse to accept any jury verdict he did not like, no matter what the evidence. A new trial was then held, with a larger jury. If the new jury agreed with the judge, the original jurors could '"themselves be imprisoned and their wives and children thrust out of doors." That highhanded...
...Attaint James Duke of Monmouth of High Treason...
| 1 |