Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: AMITTERE LIBERAM LEGEM
Definition: Losing one's free law due to committing a crime or being infamous. This means falling from the status of libera lex, which results in being discredited as a juror and witness, losing goods, chattels, and lands for life, having houses razed and trees uprooted, and going to prison. This was an ancient punishment for conspirators and parties involved in a wager of battle who cried "craven." It is also known as amittere legem terrae or amittere liberam legem.
Definition: A Latin phrase that means "to lose one's free law." This refers to losing the status of libera lex due to crime or infamy. This was punished by a "villenous judgment," which involved discrediting the person as a juror and witness, forfeiting goods and lands for life, having houses razed and trees uprooted, and going to prison. This punishment was used for conspirators and those involved in a wager of battle who cried "craven."
Example: If a person committed a crime and was found guilty, they could lose their free law and be subject to a villenous judgment. This meant they would lose their property, be discredited as a witness or juror, and go to prison.
Explanation: The example illustrates how amittere liberam legem was used as a punishment for those who committed crimes or were involved in illegal activities. It shows how severe the punishment was and how it could affect a person's life and status in society.