Legal Definitions - impechiare

Impechiare is a historical legal term meaning to formally accuse someone, particularly a public official, of wrongdoing or misconduct, often with the intention of bringing them to trial or removing them from their position. It is an older form of what is now understood as "to impeach" or "to accuse" in a formal, often political or governmental, context.

• Example 1: Accusation of a Royal Official

  During the 17th century, if a powerful faction within the English Parliament believed a King's chief minister was mismanaging state finances or acting against the interests of the realm, they might formally impechiare him. This would involve presenting a list of charges, accusing him of various offenses, which could lead to a trial before the House of Lords and potential removal from office or other severe penalties.

  This example illustrates "impechiare" as the formal accusation of a high-ranking public official for misconduct, aligning with the historical practice of impeachment.

• Example 2: Accusation of Treason by a Noble

  In a medieval kingdom, if a powerful duke suspected a rival count of secretly plotting against the crown or conspiring with an enemy foreign power, the duke might formally impechiare the count before the King's court. This would be a serious accusation of treason, demanding a formal investigation and potentially a trial by combat or by jury of peers.

  Here, "impechiare" signifies a grave accusation of a serious crime, such as treason, brought by one noble against another within a formal legal or political framework.

• Example 3: Accusation of Local Corruption

  Imagine a town in the 16th century where the appointed magistrate was widely believed to be extorting money from merchants and unjustly imprisoning citizens. A group of prominent town elders might gather evidence and formally impechiare the magistrate before a higher regional authority or a royal commissioner, accusing him of corruption and abuse of power, seeking his removal and punishment.

  This scenario demonstrates "impechiare" as the formal accusation of a local official for corruption and abuse of authority, brought by citizens seeking redress from a higher power.