Legal Definitions - cause célèbre

Definition: Cause célèbre is a French term that means "celebrated case." It refers to a trial or legal decision that is unusual or sensational, often attracting a lot of public attention and media coverage.

Examples:

• The O.J. Simpson trial in the 1990s was a cause célèbre because of the high-profile nature of the case and the celebrity status of the defendant.
• The Amanda Knox case in Italy was a cause célèbre because of the international attention it received and the controversial nature of the evidence presented.

These examples illustrate how a cause célèbre can capture the public's attention and become a major topic of discussion in the media. They often involve high-profile individuals or controversial issues that generate strong emotions and opinions.