Definition

Noun: A judicial writ (a formal written order issued by a court) commanding a sheriff to summon qualified individuals to appear for jury duty.

Usage

This term is used specifically in legal contexts, primarily within common law systems like those of the United States and England. It refers to the official court document that initiates the process of assembling a panel of potential jurors (a venire) for a trial.

Examples

• The court issued a venire facias to the county sheriff, directing him to summon 100 eligible citizens for the upcoming trial.
• The defense attorney filed a motion questioning whether the venire facias had been properly executed.
• The clerk prepared the venire facias as the first step in forming the jury pool.

Advanced Usage

• Historically, the full Latin phrase is , meaning "you shall cause the jurors to come."
• The term is part of a set of related writs. For example, a is a writ for summoning a jury for a new trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Venire (noun): The group of people summoned by the ; the panel from which a jury is selected.
• Writ (noun): A formal written order issued by a court, of which a is one type.

Synonyms

• Jury summons (This is the modern, common term for the document received by a citizen, whereas is the formal court order to the sheriff).
• Writ of venire facias (Full formal name).

Notes

"Venire facias" is a Law Latin term. While still used in formal legal writing and historical contexts, in modern practice, the process is often initiated by less formal court orders or automated systems, though the underlying legal authority remains the same.

Noun

1. a judicial writ ordering a sheriff to summon people for jury duty