Legal Term: AFORETHOUGHT

Definition: crim. law. Premeditated, prepense, the length of time during which the accused has entertained the thought of committing the offence is not very material, provided he has in fact entertained such thought, he is thereby rendered criminal in a greater degree than if he had committed the offence without. premeditation. Vide Malice, aforethought, Premeditation 2 Chit. Cr. 785, 4 Bl. Com. 199, Fost. 132, 291, 292, Cro. Car. 131, Palm. 545, W. Jones, 198, 4 Dall. R. 146, 1 P. A. Bro. App. xviii., Addis. R. 148, 1 Ashm. R. 289.

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