Jurisdiction Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of JURISDICTION
1
[noncount]
:
the power or right to make judgments about the law, to arrest and punish criminals, etc.
- The court has jurisdiction over most criminal offenses.
- His attorney claimed the court lacked jurisdiction in this matter.
- The matter falls outside/within the jurisdiction of this court.
2
[noncount]
:
the power or right to govern an area
- territory under the jurisdiction of the federal government
3
[count]
:
an area within which a particular system of laws is used
- He was arrested in another jurisdiction.
— jurisdictional
adjective