Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Go to the country
Definition: Going to the country means going to a place outside of the city. In the past, it also meant asking for a jury trial in court. A defendant would say "and of this he puts himself upon the country" and a plaintiff would say "and this the plaintiff prays may be enquired of by the country" to request a jury trial.
Definition: To go to the countryside.
Example: Let's go to the country this weekend and enjoy the fresh air and nature.
Explanation: This example illustrates the definition of "go to the country" as physically traveling to the countryside for leisure or relaxation.
Historical Example: In the past, "going to the country" had a legal meaning. It referred to the act of requesting a jury trial. A defendant would use the phrase "and of this he puts himself upon the country" to indicate that they wanted a jury trial. Similarly, a plaintiff would use the phrase "and this the plaintiff prays may be enquired of by the country" to request a jury trial.
Explanation: This historical example shows how "going to the country" had a legal meaning in the past, specifically in the context of requesting a jury trial.