general sessions

American  

noun

1. a court of general jurisdiction in criminal cases in some U.S. states.

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Etymology

Origin of general sessions

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

The sanctity of clergy-penitent privilege in the United States, which applies to Catholics as well as other religious groups, dates back to at least 1813, when the Court of General Sessions of New York City declined to force a priest to testify.

From Washington Post

Shelby County General Sessions Judge Karen Massey issued an order to have three people arrested after they did not answer subpoenas to give testimony in a preliminary hearing for Ezekiel Kelly, 19.

From Seattle Times

General Sessions Judge Louis Montesi appointed a public defender to represent Abston.

From Washington Times

Max Fagan, a Tennessee General Sessions Court judge, officiated at the ceremony before 250 guests.

From New York Times

"The criminal information is when a defendant will waive his or her right to be presented to the grand jury and that’s what happened here, so the case goes from general sessions to circuit court directly via the criminal information, and then that general sessions case has to be disposed of so the circuit court case can be handled, which is exactly what happened here on the same date."

From Fox News