Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

379

DISTRESS INFINITE

DISTRICT REGISTRY

Also, under the state governments, the pros ecuting officer who represents the state in each of its judicial districts. In some states, where the territory is divided, for judicial purposes, into sections called by some other name than "districts," the same officer is de nominated "county attorney" or "state's at torney. " DISTRICT CLERK. The clerk of a district court of either a state or the United States. DISTRICT COURTS. Courts of the United States, each having territorial juris diction over a district, which may include a whole state or only part of it. Each of these courts is presided over by one judge, who must reside within the district. These courts have original jurisdiction over all admiralty and maritime causes and all proceedings in bank ruptcy, and over all penal and criminal mat ters cognizable under the laws of the United States, exclusive jurisdiction over which is not vested either in the supreme or circuit courts. Inferior courts of record in California, Con necticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minne sota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas are also called "district courts." Their jurisdic tion is for the most part similar to that of county courts, (q. v.) DISTRICT JUDGE. The judge of a United States district court; also, in some states, the judge of a district court of the state. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. A terri tory situated on the Potomac river, and being the seat of government of the United States. It was originally ten miles square, and was composed of portions of Maryland and Vir ginia ceded by those states to the United States; but in 1846 the tract coming from Virginia was retroceded. Legally it is neither a state nor a territory, but is made subject, by the constitution, to the exclusive jurisdiction of congress. DISTRICT PARISHES. Ecclesiastical divisions of parishes in England, for all pur poses of worship, and for the celebration of marriages, christenings, churchings, and bu rials, formed at the instance of the queen's commissioners for building new churches. See 3 Steph. Comm. 744. DISTRICT REGISTRY. By the En glish judicature act, 1873, § 60, it is provided that to facilitate proceedings in country dis tricts the crown may, from time to time, by

taking of beasts or other personal property by way of pledge, to enforce the performance of something due from the party distrained upon. 3 Bl. Comm. 231. The taking of a defendant's goods, in order to compel an ap pearance in court. Id. 280; 3 Steph. Comm. 361, 363. DISTRESS INFINITE. One that has no bounds with regard to its quantity, and may be repeated trom time to time, until the stubbornness of the party is conqueied. Such are distresses for fealty or suit of court, and for compelling jurors to attend. 3B1. Comm. 231. DISTRIBUTEE. Distributee is admis sible to denote one of the peisons who are entitled, under the statute of distributions, to the personal estate of one who is dead in testate. 9 Ired. 278. DISTRIBUTION. In practice. The apportionment and division, under authority of a court, of the remainder of the estate of an intestate, after payment of the debts and charges, among those who are legally entitled to share in the same. DISTRIBUTIVE FINDING OF THE ISSUE. The jury are bound to give their verdict for that party who, upon the evidence, appears to them to have succeeded in estab lishing his side of the issue. But there are cases in which an issue may be found dis tnbutively, i. e., in part for plaintiff, and in part for defendant. Thus, in an action for goods sold and work done, if the defendant pleaded that he never was indebted, on which issue was joined, a verdict might be found for the plaintiff as to the goods, and for the defendant as to the work. Steph. Fl. (7th Ed.) 77d. DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE. See JUS TICE. DISTRICT. One of the portions into which an entire state or country may be di vided, for judicial, political, or administra tive purposes. The United States are divided into judicial districts, in each of which is established a district court. They are also divided into election districts, collection districts, etc. The circuit or territory within which a per son may be compelled to appear. Cowell. Circuit of authority; province. Enc. Lond. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. The prose cuting officer of the United States govern ment in each of the federal judicial districts.

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