Publicity

PUBLICITY. The doing of a thing in the view of all persons who choose to be present.
     2. The law requires that courts should be open to the public, there can therefore be no secret tribunal, except the grand jury (q.v.) and all judgments are required to be given in public.
     3. Publicity must be given to the acts of the legislature before they can be in force, but in general their being recorded in a certain public office is evidence of their publicity. Vide Promulgation; Publication.

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