Legal Definitions - estreat

Definition: Estreat (e-street) refers to a copy or duplicate of an original writing or record, particularly of a fine or amercement imposed by a court. It is extracted from the record and certified to someone who is authorized and required to collect it. In Scots law, it is also known as extract.

Example: When a court imposes a fine on someone, they receive an estreat, which is a copy of the fine that they must pay. This copy is extracted from the court's records and certified to the person who is responsible for collecting the fine.

Explanation: The example illustrates how an estreat is a copy of a fine or amercement imposed by a court. It is extracted from the court's records and certified to the person who is responsible for collecting the fine. This helps ensure that the fine is paid and that the court's decision is enforced.

Verb: Estreat can also be used as a verb, which means to take out a forfeited recognizance from the recordings of a court and return it to the court to be prosecuted.