Reprieve - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition reprieve

Definition :

Reprieve [fr. reprendre, Fr., to take back], the suspension of the execution of a criminal's sentence.

It may take place (1) ex mandato regis, at the mere pleasure of the Crown.

Or (2) ex arbitrio judicis, either before or after judgment; as, where the judge is not satisfied with the verdict, or the indictment is insufficient, or any favourable circumstances appear in the criminal's character, in order to give time to apply to the Crown for either an absolute or conditional pardon.

Or (3) ex necessitate legis; as where a woman is capitally convicted and pleads her pregnancy. See JURY FMATRONS.

Or (4) if the criminal become non compos, 4 Steph. Com.

Temporary postponement of execution of a criminal sentence, esp. a death sentence, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1305.

Reprieve, is derived from reprendre, to keep back, and signifies the withdrawing of the sentence for an interval of time, and operates in delay of execution, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 757, 2nd Edn., 1826.

Means temporary postponement of the execution of a criminal sentence, especially a death sentence, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1305.

Reprieve, the term reprieve is derived from reprendre, to keep back and signifies the withdrawing of the sentence for an interval of time, and operates in delay of execution, A Practical Treatise on the Criminal Law 757, 2nd Edn., 1826 by Joseph Chitty.