Legal Definitions - in facie curiae

In facie curiae is a Latin legal term that describes something occurring in the presence of the court. This means an action, statement, or event happens directly within the courtroom, before the judge or other judicial officers, and often in front of the parties involved in a case.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: During a heated trial, a witness becomes extremely agitated and begins yelling directly at the judge, refusing to answer further questions. The judge immediately holds the witness in contempt of court for their disruptive behavior.

  Explanation: The witness's outburst and the judge's subsequent ruling both occurred in facie curiae because they happened openly and directly within the courtroom, before the judge and all present parties. The contempt was committed "in the face of the court."

• Example 2: At an arraignment, a defendant stands before the judge and formally enters a plea of "not guilty" to the charges against them.

  Explanation: The act of entering a plea is a critical legal step that must be done in facie curiae. The defendant makes their declaration directly to the court, in the physical presence of the judge, making it an official and recorded part of the court proceedings.

• Example 3: A judge, observing that a juror is visibly falling asleep during critical testimony, pauses the proceedings and directly questions the juror about their ability to continue serving.

  Explanation: The judge's observation and subsequent questioning of the juror took place in facie curiae. The issue arose directly within the courtroom, and the judge addressed it immediately and openly from the bench, in the presence of all parties involved in the trial.