anarchy, n. 1. Absence of government; lawlessness. 2. A sociopolitical theory holding that the only legitimate form of government is one under which individuals govern themselves voluntarily, free from any collective power structure enforcing compliance with social order. — anarchic, adj. criminal anarchy. A doctrine advocating the overthrow of organized government by force or violence, […]
witness-tampering. The act or an instance of obstructing justice by intimidating, influencing, or harassing a witness before or after the witness testifies. • Several state and federal laws, including the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982 (18 USCA § 1512), provide criminal penalties for tampering with witnesses or other persons in the context of
luce clarius (loo-see klair-ee-[schwa]s). [Latin] Scots law. Clearer than light. • The phrase expresses the idea that the evidence is very clear, usu. in circumstances necessary to support a conviction in a criminal case. — Also termed luce meridiana clariores.
Court of Requests. Hist. A royal court whose jurisdiction was mainly civil, though it exercised quasi-criminal jurisdiction in offenses such as riot and forgery. • Dating from 1483, the Court of Requests was a part of the Privy Council. It was disbanded in 1641 when Parliament limited the Privy Council’s judicial functions. “The establishment of
people’s court. 1. A court in which individuals can resolve small disputes. See small-claims court under COURT. [Cases: Courts 174. 1.] 2. In totalitarian countries, a group of nonlawyer citizens, often illiterate commoners, convened at the scene of a crime to pass judgment or impose punishment on the accused criminal. 3. (cap.) In Nazi Germany,
Winchester, Statute of. Hist. A statute passed in the 13th year of the reign of Edward I, requiring every man to provide himself with armor to keep the peace, recognizing and regulating the offices of high and petty constables, organizing the police, and enforcing the old Saxon police laws. • It was repealed in 1827
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