Legal Definitions - suerte

In legal contexts, particularly in areas of the United States that were formerly Spanish or Mexican territories, the term suerte carries two distinct meanings:

• 1. Chance, Destiny, or Fate

  This meaning refers to an unpredictable element or an outcome that is beyond human control, often influencing historical legal decisions or distributions. It acknowledges the role of randomness or unforeseen circumstances in certain situations, particularly in the allocation of resources or rights under historical Spanish legal systems.

  • Example A: In a historical land grant process in colonial California, new settlers might have been allocated specific parcels of land through a drawing or lottery system. The particular plot a family received could be described as a matter of suerte, as its assignment was determined by chance rather than a pre-selected choice.

    Explanation: This illustrates the "chance" aspect of suerte, where the specific outcome (which land parcel was received) was not predetermined but resulted from a random selection process.

  • Example B: During a legal dispute over mining rights in 19th-century New Mexico, a court might have considered the unexpected discovery of a rich vein of silver as an act of suerte. This perspective acknowledges that while exploration was intentional, the precise location and abundance of the valuable mineral were largely a matter of fortune rather than guaranteed outcome.

    Explanation: Here, suerte refers to the "fate" or "destiny" of finding a valuable resource, emphasizing the unpredictable and fortunate nature of the discovery in a legal context.

• 2. Irrigated Agricultural Land

  This meaning refers to a specific type of land within a municipality's boundaries that was historically set aside or designated for cultivation or planting, primarily due to its advantageous proximity to a water source, such as a river or irrigation canal (acequia).

  • Example A: An old town charter from San Antonio, Texas, might describe the layout of the settlement, detailing how certain plots of land, known as suertes, were specifically allocated to families for farming. These plots would have been strategically located along the San Antonio River or its associated irrigation ditches to ensure easy access to water for crops.

    Explanation: This demonstrates suerte as a designated piece of land for agriculture, specifically chosen for its access to water for irrigation.

  • Example B: A historical property deed from the early 1800s in Arizona might reference a boundary line that runs "along the northern edge of the suerte belonging to the Sanchez family." This indicates a clearly defined parcel of land that was understood to be used for growing crops, benefiting from a nearby stream or communal irrigation system.

    Explanation: In this context, suerte identifies a specific, demarcated piece of land within a community, reserved and utilized for cultivation due to its essential water access.