Quarter Sessions

A court bearing this name, mostly invested with the trial of criminals. It takes its name from sitting quarterly, or once in three months. The English courts of quarter sessions were erected during the reign of Edward

A court bearing Term 621; 3 Burr. 1841; Bacon, Abr. Inr this name, mostly invested with the trial of dictment (K). criminals. It takes its name from sitting When the application is made on the part quarterly, or once in three months. See of the prosecution, the indictment will be Court of Quarter Sessions. quashed whenever it is defective so that the The English courts of quarter sessions defendant cannot be convicted, and the proswere erected during the reign of Edward III. ecution appears to be bona fide. If the prose- See stat. 36 Edw. III.; Crabb, Eng. Law 278. cution be instituted by the attorney-general,

In English law. A criminal court held before two or more justices of the peace, (one of whom must be of the quorum,) in every county, once in every quarter of a year. 4 BL Comm. 271; 4 Steph. Comm. 335.

In American law. Courts established in some of the states, to be holden four times in the year, invested with criminal jurisdiction, usually of offenses less than felony, and sometimes with the charge of certain administrative matters, such as the care of public roads and bridges.

A court bearing this name, mostly invested with the trial of criminals. It takes its name from sitting quarterly or once in three months. QUARTERING OF SOL-