in custodia legis
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910)
Definitions from Case Law
From 2 U.S. 68 - Woglam v. Cowperthwaite · 1790Most cited · 8 citing opinions
We therefore think, there was no default in him, that the goods were in custodia legis, subject to his lien, and were, consequently, wrongfully taken by the defendant, under the writ of retorno habendo.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In the custody of the law. A term applied to property which has been lawfully seized by or committed to the care of an officer of a court for some purpose incident to an action. 10 Pet. (U. court received money paid in to keep a tender good, without an order to that effect, it was held that the money was not in eustodia legis. 49 Minn. 133.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910