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... > social science subjects > criminology and criminal justice > criminology > social history of crime > history of the American criminal justice system > court of oyer and terminer

Preferred term

court of oyer and terminer  

Definition

  • The Court of Oyer and Terminer (literally translated as “to hear and determine”) originated from English law; these courts were used to prosecute criminal offenses of an extraordinary and/or serious nature. The judges of assize sat on these commissions (along with some others) and were charged with the duty to inquire about the situation and prosecute those found guilty. [Source: The Social History of Crime and Punishment in America: An Encylopedia; Court of Oyer and Terminer]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/court_of_oyer_and_terminer

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