Autrefois acquit
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Bouvier (1839)
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
In criminal law. Formerly acquitted. The name of a plea in bar to a criminal action, stating that the defendant has been once already indicted and tried for the same alleged offense and has been acquitted. Simco v. State, 9 Tex. App. 348; U. S. v. Gibert, 25 Fed. Cas. 1,294.
Defined under Autrefois in Black's Law Dictionary.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
In criminal law, Formerly acquitted. The name of a plea in bar to a criminal action, stating that the defendant has been once already indicted and tried for the same alleged offense and has been acquitted.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
crim. law, pleading, is a plea made by a defendant indicted for a crime or misdemeanor, that he has formerly been tried and acquitted of the same offence. Sec a form of this plea in Arch. Cr. Pl. 90. To be a bar, the acquittal must have been by trial, and by the verdict of a jury on a valid indictment. Hawk. B. 2,c. 35, s. 1; 4 Bl. Com. 335. There must be an acquittal of the offence charged in law and in fact. Stark. Cr. Pl. 355; 2 Swift’s Dig. 400; 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 452; 2 Russ. on Cr. 41. The shall be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb. Vide, generally, 12 Serg. & Rawle, 389;. Yelv. 205, a, note.