Legal Definitions - corpus comitatus

Corpus comitatus is a historical legal term that refers to the land area within the geographical boundaries of a county or similar territorial jurisdiction. Essentially meaning "the body of the county," this term was historically crucial for distinguishing between legal matters that fell under the ordinary common law of the land and those that occurred on the "high seas," which were governed by admiralty law. If an event or dispute took place infra corpus comitatus (within the body of the county), it was subject to the jurisdiction of land-based courts, not maritime courts.

• Example 1: Land-Based Crime

  Imagine a situation where a robbery occurs at a bank located in the center of Springfield, a town situated entirely within Green County, several miles from any major navigable river or coastline. The local police investigate, and the suspect is apprehended and tried in Green County's criminal court.

  Explanation: This crime happened entirely on land, firmly within the defined geographical limits of Green County. Therefore, it occurred infra corpus comitatus, meaning it fell under the jurisdiction of the county's land-based legal system and common law, rather than maritime law.

• Example 2: Real Estate Dispute

  Two property owners in Riverbend County are involved in a dispute over the exact location of their shared fence line. Both properties are residential plots located inland, far from any body of water that would be considered navigable for commercial shipping. They seek a court order to resolve the boundary disagreement.

  Explanation: This dispute concerns real estate located squarely within the land boundaries of Riverbend County. It is a classic example of a matter arising infra corpus comitatus, meaning it would be handled by the county's land courts, as it has no connection to maritime law or jurisdiction.

• Example 3: Contractual Agreement on Land

  A local construction company based in Oakwood County enters into a contract with the county government to build a new public library within the county seat. A disagreement later arises regarding the quality of materials used, leading to a lawsuit filed by the county against the construction company.

  Explanation: The entire contractual agreement, the construction project, and the dispute itself are all rooted in activities occurring on land within Oakwood County. This situation is clearly infra corpus comitatus, placing the dispute under the jurisdiction of the county's land-based courts, distinct from any maritime commercial dispute that might involve shipping or sea-borne trade.