court of common pleas

noun phrase

1

: a former English superior court having civil jurisdiction

2

: an intermediate court in some American states that usually has civil and criminal jurisdiction

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

court of common pleas

often capitalized C&C&P : an intermediate-level court in some states (as Arkansas, Connecticut, and Ohio) having limited jurisdiction over various civil and criminal matters