Ju`ris*dic"tion (?), n. [L.
jurisdictio; jus, juris, right, law +
dictio a saying, speaking: cf. OF. jurisdiction, F.
juridiction. See Just, a., and
Diction.]
1. (Law) The legal power, right, or
authority of a particular court to hear and determine causes, to try
criminals, or to execute justice; judicial authority over a cause or
class of causes; as, certain suits or actions, or the cognizance of
certain crimes, are within the jurisdiction of a particular
court, that is, within the limits of its authority or
commission.
2. The authority of a sovereign power to
govern or legislate; the right of making or enforcing laws; the power
or right of exercising authority.
To live exempt
From Heaven's high jurisdiction.
Milton.
You wrought to be a legate; by which power
You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops.
Shak.
3. Sphere of authority; the limits within
which any particular power may be exercised, or within which a
government or a court has authority.
&fist; Jurisdiction, in its most general sense, is the
power to make, declare, or apply the law. When confined to the
judiciary department, it is what we denominate the judicial
power, the right of administering justice through the laws, by
the means which the laws have provided for that purpose.
Jurisdiction is limited to place or territory, to persons, or
to particular subjects. Duponceau.
