Writ of assistance

Definition
1  : a writ issued to a law officer (as a sheriff or marshal) for the enforcement of a court order or decree
esp
: one used to enforce an order for the possession of lands
2  : a writ provided for under British rule in colonial America that authorized customs officers to search unspecified places for any smuggled goods
Many colonial courts refused to issue writs of assistance, which were a focus of bitter resentment against arbitrary searches and seizures. Opposition to such writs inspired the provision in the U.S. Constitution requiring that a search warrant describe with particularity the place and items to be searched.



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Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
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collateral estoppel

estoppel by judgment barring the relitigation of issues litigated by the same parties on a different cause of action


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