general sessions

noun

1. a court of general jurisdiction in criminal cases in some U.S. states.

Word History and Origins

Origin of general sessions¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

When his first attorney general, Sessions, recused himself from overseeing the FBI’s probe into Russian meddling, Trump considered it an act of betrayal and fired him in November 2017.

From Salon

Bowman, 33, had pleaded not guilty in the lower general sessions court to charges that include attempted second-degree murder and carrying a weapon on school property.

From Seattle Times

The sanctity of clergy-penitent privilege in the United States, which applies to Catholics as well as other religious groups, dates back to at least 1813, when the Court of General Sessions of New York City declined to force a priest to testify.

From Washington Post

Shelby County General Sessions Judge Karen Massey issued an order to have three people arrested after they did not answer subpoenas to give testimony in a preliminary hearing for Ezekiel Kelly, 19.

From Seattle Times

General Sessions Judge Louis Montesi had ordered him held on $510,000 bond Tuesday on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, tampering with evidence, theft and fraud.

From Seattle Times