lynch law
- the administration of summary punishment, especially death, upon a suspected, accused, or convicted person by a mob acting without legal process or authority.
Origin of lynch law
Examples from the Web for lynch law
Historical Examples of lynch law
That night's lynch-law in our quarters was not inquired into.
In the Foreign LegionErwin Rosen
Well have lynch-law here in just about ten minutes, if you aint spry.
A Singular LifeElizabeth Stuart Phelps
Lynch-law reached its height in the late eighties and early nineties.
Following the Color LineRay Stannard Baker
Well might he tremble with fear; for the Lynch-law was then in full force for criminals like him.
The LamplighterMaria S. Cummins
Much may be said in favor of Goldwin Smith's quotation, "that there are communities in which lynch-law is better than any other."
lynch law
- the practice of condemning and punishing a person by mob action without a proper trial
lynch law
The punishment of supposed criminals, especially by hanging, by agreement of a crowd and without a genuine criminal trial. Lynch law was used in the early settlement of the West as a way of maintaining minimal law and order before a sheriff and courts could be set up. It has also been used to deprive unpopular suspects of their rights and to satisfy a mob's thirst for vengeance. Lynch law was often used by whites in the South to terrorize and subjugate blacks.