COUNTY ASSIZES Meaning and
Definition
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County assizes refer to the historical legal system that governed certain regions or divisions within a country, typically in England and Wales. The term "assizes" is derived from the Latin word "assidere," meaning to sit in judgment, reflecting the primary function of these courts as a means to dispense justice. The county assizes were established during the Middle Ages and lasted until the 19th century.
The county assizes were held several times a year in designated county towns, presided over by a circuit judge appointed by the monarch. Their jurisdiction covered a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including serious crimes such as murder, treason, and theft, as well as land disputes, debt cases, and other civil actions.
The assizes had several distinctive features, such as the use of jury trials, a panel of twelve members of the local community who decided on the guilt or innocence of the accused. The assizes also provided an opportunity for witnesses to present evidence and for legal arguments to be made by both prosecution and defense counsels.
The county assizes were regarded as a higher court than the local quarter sessions, holding the power to impose more severe punishments and handle more serious cases. This judicial system played a crucial role in ensuring the administration of justice throughout the country, as well as establishing legal precedents, and promoting consistency and fairness in the application of the law.
Common Misspellings for COUNTY ASSIZES
- xounty assizes
- vounty assizes
- founty assizes
- dounty assizes
- ciunty assizes
- ckunty assizes
- clunty assizes
- cpunty assizes
- c0unty assizes
- c9unty assizes
- coynty assizes
- cohnty assizes
- cojnty assizes
- cointy assizes
- co8nty assizes
- co7nty assizes
- coubty assizes
- coumty assizes
- coujty assizes
- couhty assizes
Etymology of COUNTY ASSIZES
The word "county assizes" has an interesting etymology.
The term "county" can be traced back to the Old French word "counte" or "conte", which originated from the Latin word "comitatus" meaning "jurisdiction" or "office of a count". In medieval England, a county was an administrative division governed by a nobleman known as a count or earl.
The term "assizes" derives from the Old French word "assise", which means "session" or "sitting". It can be traced back to the Latin word "assidere", which means "to sit beside". In medieval England, assizes referred to periodic sessions or courts held in various counties, presided over by judges who traveled to different regions to administer justice.
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