collateral attack
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Case Law, Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910)
Definitions from Case Law
From 308 U.S. 371 - Chicot County Drainage District v. Baxter State Bank · 1940Most cited · 2,550 citing opinions
The lower federal courts are all courts of limited jurisdiction, that is, with only the jurisdiction which Congress has prescribed. But none the less they are courts with authority, when parties are brought before them in accordance with the requirements of due process, to determine whether or not they have jurisdiction to entertain the cause and for this purpose to construe and apply the statute under which they are asked to act. Their determinations of such questions, while open to direct review, may not be assailed collaterally.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
See "Collateral impeachment," infra.
Defined under Collateral in Black's Law Dictionary.