Legal Definitions - PO. SE

PO. SE. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "PONIT SE SUPER PATRIAM," which translates to "he puts himself upon the country." This term signifies that a defendant has elected to be tried by a jury, thereby submitting their case to the judgment of the community.

PO. SE. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase PONIT SE SUPER PATRIAM, which translates to "he puts himself upon the country." In a legal context, this phrase historically signifies a defendant's decision to submit their case to the judgment of a jury. When a defendant pleads "not guilty" and opts for a jury trial, they are, in essence, placing their fate in the hands of the community, as represented by the jury.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this term:

• Example 1: Pleading Not Guilty in a Criminal Case
  Imagine a person accused of assault who stands before the court. When asked for their plea, they declare, "Not guilty," and explicitly request a trial by a jury. This act embodies the principle of PO. SE., as the defendant is choosing to have a panel of their peers, rather than a single judge, weigh the evidence and determine their culpability.
• Example 2: Historical Court Records
  In reviewing historical legal documents from centuries past, one might encounter a formal entry stating, "The accused, having been arraigned, did plead non cul. [not guilty], and PO. SE." This notation served as a concise record that the defendant had formally invoked their right to a jury trial, thereby submitting their case to the "country" or community for judgment.
• Example 3: The Modern Right to a Jury Trial
  While the specific Latin abbreviation is rarely used in contemporary courtrooms, the fundamental concept behind PO. SE. remains a cornerstone of many legal systems. For instance, if a defendant facing charges for a serious felony insists on their constitutional right to have a jury hear the evidence and render a verdict, they are exercising the core principle of PO. SE. – entrusting their liberty and the determination of facts to the collective judgment of the community, rather than accepting a plea bargain or a bench trial.