Legal Definitions - attaint

attaint (uh-TEYNT), adj. - having a damaged or ruined reputation; being under attainder for a crime.

attaint, n. - a historical writ used to investigate whether a 12-member jury gave a false verdict. If the writ was found to be true by a 24-member jury, the judgment based on the verdict was overturned. This writ was abolished in England in 1826.

Example 1: The politician's reputation was attainted after he was caught accepting bribes.

Example 2: The attainted criminal was not allowed to hold public office or vote.

Example 3: In medieval England, the writ of attaint was used to ensure that justice was served and that false verdicts were not accepted.

These examples illustrate how the term "attaint" is used to describe a damaged reputation or being under attainder for a crime. The historical example shows how the writ of attaint was used to investigate false verdicts and ensure justice was served.