Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: DICAST
Definition: In ancient Greece, a dicast was a person who acted as both a judge and a juror. They were usually free citizens over the age of 30 and sat in groups of 100 to 500 to decide cases by a majority vote.
Definition: Dicast (dI-kast or dik-ast) is a historical term that refers to an ancient Greek officer who acted as both a judge and a juror. They were responsible for deciding cases by a majority vote.
Each dicast was typically a free citizen who was over the age of 30. They would sit together in groups of 100 to 500, depending on the importance of the case.
Example: In ancient Greece, a dicast would preside over a trial and make a decision based on the evidence presented. For example, if someone was accused of a crime, the dicast would listen to the arguments from both sides and then make a decision on whether the accused was guilty or not guilty.
Explanation: The example illustrates how a dicast would act as both a judge and a juror in ancient Greece. They would listen to the evidence presented and then make a decision based on the majority vote of the dicasts present. This system was used to ensure that justice was served fairly and impartially.