PINCH

Set I'lttNOILLtD*. FINK, in Law. as a punishment, is a pectmiary mulct or nmende imposed by a competent jurisdiction. The party thu mulcted for offences against a feudal superior was said, in the language of that jurisprudence, "finem faccre de transgre i one cum rege, domino," ., to make an end of his offence: whence the word is derived, fines are in no ■mined as to amount by common law, and seldom by Statute, except as to their maximum; but by the general cautions of Magna Charta and the Hill of Rights, i lit not to be imposed. Courts of record have in general the power of imposing fines in case of contempt, and also on conviction of offences punishable in this manner. The mode of returning, entreating (i. e., entering on the rolls of n court), and levying fines, is now regulated by 3 & 4 VV. FIN!', [s. 469]