1. English law. A court of criminal jurisdiction held in each county (or borough) once in every quarter of a year. • The court was made up of a county’s justices of the peace. It committed certain cases to the Assizes. Quarter Sessions were abolished in 1971, with most jurisdiction transferred to the Crown Court. — Often shortened to Quarter Sessions; Sessions.
“The court of general quarter sessions of the peace is a court that must be held in every county, once in every quarter of a year…. It is held before two or more justices of the peace, one of which must be of the quorum. The jurisdiction of this court, by statute 34 Edw. III. c. I. extends to the trying and determining all felonies and tres-passes whatsoever, though they seldom, if ever, try any greater offence than small felonies within the benefit of clergy ….” 4 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 268 (1769).
2. A court held in some states four times a year with jurisdiction over misdemeanors and occasionally tasks of an administrative nature, such as the care of public roads and bridges. — Often shortened to Quarter Sessions Court.
— Also termed Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace.
