Mercy

In practice

The arbitrament of the king or judge in punishing offenses not directly censured by law. Jacob. So, "to be in mercy" signifies to be amerced or fined for bringing or defending an unjust suit or to be liable to punishment in the discretion of the court. In criminal law. The discretion of a judge, within the limits prescribed by positive law, to remit altogether the punishment to which a convicted person is liable, or to mitigate the severity of his sentenco; as when a jury recommends the prisoner to the mercy of the court