Legal Definitions - liberties

Definition: Liberties are privileged districts that are exempt from the jurisdiction of the sheriff. In American colonial times, they were also laws. In Philadelphia, they are political subdivisions.

• In medieval England, there were areas called liberties that were outside the control of the sheriff. These areas were often granted special privileges, such as the right to hold markets or to govern themselves.
• In colonial America, there were laws known as "liberties" that granted certain rights and freedoms to the colonists. For example, the Massachusetts Body of Liberties, adopted in 1641, protected the rights of individuals accused of crimes and guaranteed the right to a fair trial.
• In Philadelphia, there are several political subdivisions known as "liberties," including Northern Liberties, Southwark, and Moyamensing. These areas were once independent municipalities but were later incorporated into the city.

These examples illustrate the different meanings of the term "liberties" throughout history. In each case, the term refers to a specific type of district or law that is exempt from some form of authority. Whether it is a medieval English liberty, a colonial American law, or a modern Philadelphia subdivision, the concept of "liberties" has always been associated with a certain degree of independence and autonomy.