Legal Definitions - Jedburgh justice

Jedburgh justice is a type of punishment that involves executing someone before giving them a fair trial. The term comes from Jedburgh, a Scottish town where raiders were hanged without a trial in the 17th century. This type of justice is different from lynch law because it is administered by an established court, even if it is after the fact.

For example, if someone is accused of a crime and is immediately executed without a trial, that would be considered Jedburgh justice. This type of punishment is not fair or just because the accused person did not have a chance to defend themselves in court.