Legal Definitions - F.

The term "F." has two distinct meanings in legal contexts, one referring to a series of legal publications and the other to a historical practice.

1. F. (Federal Reporter, First Series)

In this context, "F." is an abbreviation for the Federal Reporter, First Series. This refers to a collection of published judicial opinions from federal courts in the United States, specifically covering decisions from 1880 to 1924. These opinions include rulings from both federal trial courts and appellate courts during that period. When you see a legal citation like "123 F. 456," it directs you to volume 123 of the Federal Reporter, First Series, page 456.

• Example 1: Historical Legal Research

  A legal historian is researching the development of early environmental law in the United States. They come across a reference to a federal court case from 1915 that dealt with industrial pollution. The citation for this case might be "United States v. Acme Manufacturing Co., 200 F. 123 (1915)."

  Illustration: This citation indicates that the full text of the court's decision can be found in the 200th volume of the Federal Reporter, First Series, on page 123, providing the historian with access to the original legal reasoning from that era.

• Example 2: Precedent in Contract Law

  A modern attorney is arguing a complex contract dispute and wants to show the historical interpretation of a particular clause that was common in agreements drafted in the early 20th century. They might cite a case from 1905, such as "Smith v. Jones, 150 F. 789 (1905)," to illustrate how federal courts previously ruled on similar contractual language.

  Illustration: By citing a case from the "F." series, the attorney is drawing upon established federal legal precedent from the specified time frame to support their current argument.

• Example 3: Academic Study of Judicial Trends

  A law student is writing a paper on the evolution of federal judicial power. They analyze several landmark cases from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that helped define the scope of federal court jurisdiction. Many of these cases would be published in the Federal Reporter, First Series.

  Illustration: The student would frequently encounter citations to "F." volumes as they examine how federal judges interpreted their authority and jurisdiction during the period between 1880 and 1924.

2. F. (Historical Branding Mark)

Historically, "F." referred to a letter branded onto individuals convicted of certain crimes in England. This practice was primarily associated with the "benefit of clergy," a legal loophole that allowed literate individuals (originally clergy, later extended) to avoid execution for certain felonies. If a person successfully claimed benefit of clergy, they would be branded with an "F" (often on the thumb) to mark them as having used this benefit once, preventing them from claiming it again for a subsequent felony. The "F" could also stand for "felon," "fray-maker" (someone involved in a public fight), or "falsity" (fraud).

• Example 1: Preventing Repeat Claims of Benefit of Clergy

  In 17th-century England, a man named Thomas is convicted of grand larceny, a felony punishable by death. However, he successfully demonstrates that he can read a passage from the Bible, thereby claiming "benefit of clergy." Instead of being executed, his sentence is reduced, but he is branded with an "F" on his thumb.

  Illustration: The "F" mark served as a permanent record that Thomas had already received the benefit of clergy. If he were ever convicted of another felony, he would be unable to claim the benefit again and would face the full penalty of the law, likely execution.

• Example 2: Public Identification for Specific Offenses

  During the 18th century, a person is found guilty of instigating a violent public brawl in the town square, an offense known as an "affray" or "fray." As part of their punishment, they are branded with an "F" on their hand or cheek.

  Illustration: In this context, the "F" served as a public mark identifying the individual as a "fray-maker" or fighter, intended to shame them and warn others of their violent tendencies, beyond any other penalties like fines or imprisonment.

• Example 3: Marking for Falsity or Fraud

  A historical account describes a merchant in the 16th century who was convicted of a serious act of fraud, involving the deliberate falsification of documents to cheat customers. After a trial, he is sentenced to be branded with an "F" on his forehead.

  Illustration: Here, the "F" explicitly stood for "falsity," publicly marking the individual as a deceiver. This served as a severe form of public shaming and a warning to others about his dishonest character, impacting his ability to conduct business or gain trust in the community.