jailhouse lawyer

American  

[jeyl-hous law-yer, loi-er] / ˈdʒeɪlˌhaʊs ˈlɔ yər, ˈlɔɪ ər /

noun

1. a prisoner who has studied law on their own while serving time, is knowledgeable about technical legal matters, and gives legal advice, especially to fellow prisoners.

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Etymology

Origin of jailhouse lawyer

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30;

Example Sentences

He’s a talented thespian who also writes plays; a gentle man, a mentor and a self-described jailhouse lawyer who is preparing for his parole hearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025

With a new attitude, he began visiting the prison law library, where he met Michael “Minkah” Norwood, Lewisburg’s legendary jailhouse lawyer.

From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2023

Wilson while in prison has graduated from the University of Oregon, volunteered in the prison hospice and served as a jailhouse lawyer for other inmates and a mentor to juvenile offenders.

From Washington Times • Apr. 24, 2020

A jailhouse lawyer at Otisville had sent them a list of men who needed help obtaining parole, and they assigned volunteers to work with several of them.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 25, 2019

I completed a paralegal course and became a bootleg jailhouse lawyer.

From New York Times • Oct. 16, 2018