Inquest

Inquest

Introduction to Inquest

Inquest, in law, judicial inquiry. In criminal law the term usually refers to an investigation into the cause of sudden or violent death of a person, or of the death of a prisoner while in jail. The inquest is conducted by a coroner, or other qualified official, and a jury. If foul play is suspected as the cause of death, the coroner and the jury may investigate to determine the identity of the murderer. Witnesses may be summoned and compelled to give testimony. If the testimony warrants a verdict, known as a coroner’s verdict, a charge of homicide may be returned by the jury against one or more individuals. Persons so charged are held for indictment by a grand jury.

In civil law in the U.S., the term inquest is also applied to a procedure in which a plaintiff in a lawsuit seeks a default judgment against a defendant who fails to defend the action. The plaintiff must prove damages to the satisfaction of the court or the petit jury, which may make an inquiry into the nature and the extent of the damages.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Inquest


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