jail delivery

American  

noun

1. a liberation of persons from prison, especially by force.

2. the act of clearing a jail of prisoners by bringing them to trial, as at the assizes in England.

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jail delivery British  

noun

1. forcible and illegal liberation of prisoners from jail

2. English law (formerly) a commission issued to assize judges when they come to a circuit town authorizing them to try all prisoners and release those acquitted

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Etymology

Origin of jail delivery

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75

Example Sentences

Shortly afterwards a jail delivery enabled him to leave prison.

From Literary Byways by Andrews, William

The superior court, and the court of general sessions of the peace and jail delivery, consist of the chief-justice and two associates.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.

"If," says the Chief Justice, "we could conjure up in our minds a President willing to paralyze courts by pardoning all criminal contempts, why not a President ordering a general jail delivery?"

From The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Annotations of Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of the United States to June 30, 1952 by Corwin, Edward Samuel

As the day set for Rebstock’s trial drew near, rumors were heard of a jail delivery.

From The Mountain Divide by Both, Armand

There was a general jail delivery of the poor debtors, for very joy.

From Dealings with the Dead, Volume I (of 2) by School, A Sexton of the Old