Special Pleas - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition special-pleas

Definition :

Special pleas, pleas not in the form of what were called general issues, but which allege affirmative matter, as infancy, coverture, statute of limitations, etc., see DEFENCE.

Special pleas in bar in criminal matters go to the merits of the indictment, and give a reason why the prisoner ought to be discharged from the prosecution: they are of four kinds, viz., a former acquittal, a former conviction, a former attainder, or a pardon