Sequester
1. The act of isolating someone during trial proceedings. The jury, or some witness, may be sequestered to preserve fairness during the trial. Thus, when not fulfilling their roles at trial, sequestered persons may live in a hotel so that they are not influenced by the opinions of journalists, friends, and family.
2. The act of seizing property by a writ of sequestration.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
1) To isolate, separate, or keep a person or people apart from others. For example, a jury in a highly publicized trial may be sequestered to prevent them from reading or hearing anything about the case. A sequestered jury may have to live apart from their families for the duration of the trial. A witness who is sequestered is required to leave the courtroom so he or she does not hear the testimony of other witnesses. 2) For a court to take custody of property that is the subject of a dispute, pending the outcome of a legal proceeding to determine ownership.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:24 pm
