jailhouse lawyer

[ jeyl-hous law-yer, loi-er ]

noun

1. a prisoner who has studied law on their own while serving time, is knowledgeable about technical legal matters, and gives legal advice, especially to fellow prisoners.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jailhouse lawyer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; Americanism

Example Sentences

Sentenced to 26 years to life in prison, Martinez spent the next three decades filing writs, appeals and petitions as a self-taught jailhouse lawyer.

From Los Angeles Times

“I didn’t know they were supposed to do a declaration until I got with a jailhouse lawyer and he told me what they were supposed to do,” Spikes said.

From Los Angeles Times

With a new attitude, he began visiting the prison law library, where he met Michael “Minkah” Norwood, Lewisburg’s legendary jailhouse lawyer.

From Washington Post

He became a “jailhouse lawyer” and filed several motions that resulted in some inmates getting their sentences reduced.

From Washington Post

In 2014, the court ruled that Shon Hopwood, a convicted bank robber who became a “jailhouse lawyer” could take the state bar exam.

From Seattle Times