In English law . A criminal court held before two or more justices of the peace, (one of whom must be of the quorum,) in every county, once in every quarter of a year. 4 Bl. Comm. 271; 4 Steph. Comm. 335. In American law . Courts established in some of the states, to be holden four times in the year, invested with criminal jurisdiction , usually of offenses less than felony, and sometimes with the charge of certain administrative matters, such as the care of public roads and bridges.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
