Civil Death
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
[Lat. mors civilis.] That change of a person's civil condition which is produced by certain acts or offences on his part; and which extinguishes his civil rights and capacities, just as natural death extinguishes his bodily existence. It anciently followed on a man's entering into religion, (i. e. going into a monastery,) or abjuring the realm; and is still in England the consequence of being attainted of treason or felony. Bract, fol.
301 b, 421 b. 1 Steph. Com. 132. 2 Bl. Com. 121. 4 Id. 380.
In New York it follows on a person's being sentenced to imprisonment for life in a state prison.
2 Eev. St, [701,] 586, § 20.
See Civiliter mortuus.
See Civiliter mortuus.