Definition and Citations:
In criminal law. A term used to signify every considerable misdemeanor which has not a certain name giv- en to it by law.. 3 Inst. 30. But more particularly and properly the term denotes either (1) a contempt against the sovereign, the government, or the courts of justice, includ- ing not only contempts of court, properly so called, but also all forms of seditious or dis- loyal conduct and leze-majesty; (2) maladministration of high public office, including peculation of the public funds; (3) neglect or light account made of a crime, that is, failure in the duty of a citizen to endeavor to prevent the commission of a crime, or, having knowledge of its commission, to reveal It to the proper authorities. See 4 Bl. Comm. 119- 120.