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Simple English definitions for legal terms
mute
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A quick definition of mute:
Term: MUTE
Definition: A mute is a person who cannot speak or chooses not to speak, especially when required to answer or plead in a legal setting. In the past, if a prisoner stood mute, a jury was called to determine if they were intentionally mute or mute due to a physical condition. Nowadays, if a prisoner is mute by malice, the officer automatically enters a plea of not guilty and the trial proceeds. If the prisoner is deemed to be insane, they are kept in custody until the Crown decides what to do.
A more thorough explanation:
A mute is a person who is unable to speak or chooses to remain silent when required to answer or plead. In legal terms, a prisoner who stands mute is one who refuses to enter a plea in court.
- A person who is born without the ability to speak is considered a mute.
- If a prisoner refuses to enter a plea in court, they are said to be standing mute.
The examples illustrate that a mute is someone who cannot or chooses not to speak. In the legal context, standing mute is a refusal to enter a plea, which can have consequences for the trial proceedings.