Recognizance: meaning, definitions and examples
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recognizance
[ rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns ]
legal context
Recognizance is a legal term that refers to an obligation entered into before a court, in which a person agrees to perform a specific act or to ensure their own appearance in court. This process is often seen in criminal cases, where defendants may be released from custody on their own recognizance, which means they promise to return for their court dates without the requirement to post bail. A recognizance may also involve certain conditions, such as keeping the peace or not committing further offenses. Failure to comply with the terms of a recognizance can result in legal consequences, including the issuance of a warrant for arrest.
Synonyms
commitment, obligation, pledge, promise.
Examples of usage
- The judge granted him release on his own recognizance.
- She signed a recognizance to ensure her appearance at trial.
- His recognizance included strict conditions to avoid re-offending.
Translations
Translations of the word "recognizance" in other languages:
🇵🇹 reconhecimento
🇮🇳 पहचान
🇩🇪 Erkennung
🇮🇩 pengakuan
🇺🇦 визнання
🇵🇱 uznanie
🇯🇵 認識
🇫🇷 reconnaissance
🇪🇸 reconocimiento
🇹🇷 tanıma
🇰🇷 인식
🇸🇦 اعتراف
🇨🇿 uznání
🇸🇰 uznanie
🇨🇳 认知
🇸🇮 priznanje
🇮🇸 viðurkenning
🇰🇿 тану
🇬🇪 ცნობა
🇦🇿 tanıma
🇲🇽 reconocimiento
Etymology
The term 'recognizance' originates from the Middle English word 'recongnissance,' which itself comes from Old French 'reconnaissance,' meaning 'recognition' or 'acknowledgment.' The roots of the word can be traced back to the Latin word 'recognoscere,' where 're-' means 'again' and 'cognoscere' means 'to know.' In a legal context, the word evolved to signify a formal acknowledgment of a duty or obligation to the court. Historically, the practice of recognizance emerged as a means to allow individuals charged with offenses to maintain their liberty while ensuring that they would return to face justice. Through various modifications in legal systems, the use and application of recognizance have been shaped by the need to balance the rights of the accused with the responsibilities towards the legal process.