peer

peer

n. an equal. A "jury of one's peers," to which criminal defendants are constitutionally entitled, means an impartial group of citizens from the judicial district (e.g. county) in which the defendant lives. It does not mean a jury ethnically, educationally, economically, or sexually the same as the defendant, although, in some jurisdictions attempts are made to meet those criteria. (See: jury of one's peers)

Copyright © 1981-2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right reserved.

peer

originally a person with a right to be summoned to Parliament and a hereditary right for his heirs to be so summoned, now created by letters-patent. Disputes as to entitlement are made to the House of Lords on the advice of the Committee for Privileges. The order of precedence is dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons. As a result of reforms to the House of Lords in 1999 there are only 92 hereditary peers remaining pending further reform.

Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006

PEER. Equal. A man's peers are his equals. A man is to be tried by his peers.
     2. In England and some other countries, this is a title of nobility; as, peers of the realm. In the United States, this equality is not so much political as civil. A man who is not a citizen, is nevertheless to be tried by citizens.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.