Legal Definitions - placita coronae

The term placita coronae refers to Pleas of the Crown, which are essentially criminal actions. Historically, this Latin phrase designated legal cases where the monarch, or the Crown, was the prosecuting party against an individual accused of a crime. In modern legal systems, it broadly encompasses any criminal prosecution brought by the state against an individual or entity for violating public law. It distinguishes these cases from civil disputes, which involve private parties seeking remedies from each other.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Imagine a situation where a local district attorney's office charges an individual with grand theft auto. This prosecution, initiated by the state (represented by the district attorney) against the accused, would be considered a placita coronae.
  Explanation: This example demonstrates a criminal action where the state, acting on behalf of the public interest (the modern equivalent of the "Crown"), is prosecuting an alleged crime. The focus is on punishing a violation of public law, not resolving a private dispute.
• Example 2: Consider a historical trial in 16th-century England where a royal prosecutor brings charges of sedition against a pamphleteer for criticizing the king.
  Explanation: This scenario directly illustrates placita coronae in its original context. The Crown (the monarch's government) is the prosecuting party, seeking to punish an offense against the state, which was considered a serious criminal matter.
• Example 3: A state attorney general's office files criminal charges against a pharmaceutical company for illegally marketing a drug, leading to harm to consumers.
  Explanation: Even though it involves a corporate entity, this is a criminal prosecution initiated by the state (the modern "Crown") to enforce public law and punish wrongdoing. It is distinct from a civil lawsuit where individual consumers might sue the company for damages.