Quarter Sessions
in England, a general court of criminal jurisdiction held in every county once in each quarter of a year before two or more justices of the peace, and before the recorder in boroughs. Its jurisdiction is confined to the smaller felonies and misdemeanors against the public, and certain matters rather of a civil than a criminal nature.
In Scotland, a court held by the justices of the peace four times a year at the county towns. These courts have the power of reversing the sentences pronounced at the special and petty sesand petty ses-- QUARTERSTAFF 396 QUATREMÈRE DE QUINCY sions, when the sentence is of a nature subject to review.