open court

noun

: a court that anyone is allowed to attend
He testified in open court.

Examples of open court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Witnesses normally take the witness stand and state their name in open court for the record. Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 May 2025 The Trump administration has tried to invoke the state secrets privilege, arguing that releasing details in open court — or even to the judge in private – about returning Abrego Garcia to the United States would jeopardize national security. Julie Carr Smyth, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025 The Trump administration has tried to invoke the state secrets privilege, arguing that releasing details in open court — or even to the judge in private — about returning Abrego Garcia to the United States would jeopardize national security. Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 The Supreme Court has ultimate disciplinary authority over judges, who typically have to appear before justices in open court to receive the reprimands. News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for open court

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Cite this Entry

“Open court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20court. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Legal Definition

open court

noun
1
: a recorded judicial proceeding that is presided over by a judge and attended by the parties and their attorneys and that is convened for the purpose of conducting official business compare in camera
2
: a session of a court that is open to the public
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