Legal Definitions - inquisition

Inquisition generally refers to a formal and often intense investigation or examination. While it can specifically denote the official findings of a coroner's jury regarding a death, the term is more commonly used, often in a negative or critical sense, to describe a rigorous, intrusive, or even oppressive inquiry that may disregard the dignity or rights of those being examined.

• Example 1 (Coroner's Finding): After a tragic and unexplained accident at a construction site, the local authorities convened a coroner's jury to investigate the circumstances surrounding the worker's death. Following weeks of testimony from witnesses, experts, and site managers, the jury delivered its formal written conclusions detailing the cause of death and any contributing factors. This official document, outlining their findings, was the inquisition.

  Explanation: This illustrates the specific legal meaning of "inquisition" as the formal record or finding produced by a coroner's jury after investigating a death.

• Example 2 (Oppressive Examination): During a high-profile government ethics investigation, a former public official was called to testify before a special committee. The committee members subjected the official to hours of aggressive questioning, frequently interrupting answers, making accusatory statements, and denying requests for clarification from the official's legal counsel. Many observers and the official's legal team described the proceedings as an inquisition, arguing that its primary purpose seemed to be public shaming rather than a fair search for truth, disregarding the official's right to a dignified hearing.

  Explanation: Here, "inquisition" is used in its derogatory sense to describe a grueling, one-sided examination that feels oppressive and disregards the dignity and procedural rights of the person being questioned.

• Example 3 (Intrusive Corporate Inquiry): A large technology company launched an internal investigation into alleged intellectual property theft. While an investigation was warranted, the process quickly became notorious among employees for its severity. Employees suspected of involvement were subjected to multiple lengthy interviews, often without prior notice or clear explanations of the allegations, and were pressured to confess or implicate others. Many employees felt the internal probe had devolved into an inquisition, creating an atmosphere of fear and distrust rather than a fair and respectful fact-finding mission.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates how a formal inquiry, even in a corporate setting, can be labeled an "inquisition" when it becomes excessively aggressive, intrusive, and disregards the well-being and dignity of those being questioned, moving beyond a reasonable investigation.