Legal Definitions - hue and cry

Definition: Hue and Cry is a term used in history to describe the public uproar that citizens were expected to initiate after discovering a crime. It was a way to catch criminals by raising an alarm and getting everyone to help in the pursuit.

Example: In medieval England, if someone witnessed a crime, they were expected to raise the hue and cry by shouting and blowing a horn. This would alert the community, and everyone would join in the pursuit of the criminal.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the hue and cry was used to catch criminals. It was a way to mobilize the community and get everyone involved in catching the perpetrator. This was important in a time when there were no police forces, and communities had to rely on each other for protection.